Application of tire sensors for an integrated approach to evaluate longitudinal tire characteristics for braking performance

Abstract

Braking performance is a key requirement for tires, significantly affecting the braking distance of vehicles. Considering longitudinal tire dynamics, tire characteristics and parameters, as well as influences from vehicle and ambient conditions have to be identified for an integrated evaluation of tire performance. Various testing methods for identification of tire characteristics are available, yet most of them lack the ability to measure directly at the tire/road contact. Tire sensors have been a popular research topic, which may allow for identification of tire properties during test maneuvers in the contact region. This article features the analysis of longitudinal tire dynamics at full (ABS) braking by means of three 3-axis accelerometers fixed to the inner liner of four different sets of front and rear summer tires. Considering both steady-state and dynamic tire braking properties, skid trailer measurements of force–slip characteristics as well as brake tests with the tire accelerometers are presented for the different tires and compared with each other. Characteristics, affecting the overall braking performance, measured by the tire accelerometers at the contact patch indicate a meaningful correlation to the measured steady-state force–slip characteristics. A basic model-based analysis, utilizing the tire brush model, completes the evaluation of longitudinal tire characteristics with respect to braking performance.