Abstract
The current research of tire aerodynamics mainly focus on the isolated and simplified tread tire. Compared with the real complex pattern tire, the tread pattern structure and deformed profile of a loaded tire has a greatly influence on tire aerodynamic drag. However, the mechanisms of the isolated loaded tires with different tread patterns effects on the aerodynamic drag are subjects worthy of discussion. The purpose of this study is to experimentally and computationally investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of three tires 185/65 R14 with different patterns under loaded. A wind tunnel test model was first established using three-dimensional (3D) printing with a ratio of 1:1, and the pressure coefficients Cp of the three tires with different patterns are measured. The paper then conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for analyzing the pressure and flow characteristics. The accuracy of CFD simulation is verified by comparing the simulation results with the test results of pressure coefficients Cp, and they are of good consistency. While, the general analysis of pressure coefficients Cp results of the three tires indicates high-pressure area on the windward surface, and occurrence of low-pressure area on the leeward surface, the pressure coefficients Cp of all three tires decreased firstly and then increased along in the air flow direction. The authors finally analyzed the effect of tread patterns on the flow field around the tire and revealed the differences between flow characteristics and aerodynamic drag. The results show that, angle of tire lateral groove has great effect on the flow field characteristics such that; the more the angle of lateral groove agrees with the air flow direction, the less the flow separation and flow vortices, and a minimum observable aerodynamic drag. The research provides a guidance for the design of low aerodynamic drag tires, and helps to illustrate the impact of tire aerodynamics on the car body in the future.
Highlights
IntroductionGovernments and manufacturers have been taking an increasing number of active steps to reduce CO2 emissions
Due to global warming, governments and manufacturers have been taking an increasing number of active steps to reduce CO2 emissions
7 Conclusions Wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations were conducted in this study to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of three tires with different patterns-straight, axi-symmetrical, and point-symmetrical patterns
Summary
Governments and manufacturers have been taking an increasing number of active steps to reduce CO2 emissions. (2021) 34:6 undergoes a noticeable change due to tread pattern impact, and three main vortex structures occur—jetting, horseshoe, and top vortices [9]. These vortices would increase the flow separation and aerodynamic drag. An enclosed wheel impedes the cooling effect of the brake and causes potential hazards to vehicle safety These potential hazards limit the application domain expansion of the method while the wheel is fully covered. The effects of rim coverage area, fan spokes, spoke sharpness on the flow field, and drag coefficient of a passenger vehicle were investigated by Bolzon et al [13], and the results indicate that, rounded spoke edges can reduce the drag coefficient. Brandt et al [14] developed a numerical model for a vehicle with various rim geometries, and elucidated the effects of certain geometric parameters of rim on the flow field and aerodynamic drag
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