Influence of Tire Tread Convexity on its Rolling with a Slip

Abstract

The tire tread (inflated) may have a convex (toroidal) shape. At present, there is practically no data on the influence of this structural parameter of the tire on its power and kinematic characteristics when rolling with a slip. The solution to this problem, given in this paper, is based on the consideration of contact phenomena in the friction pair “elastic wheel – rigid support surface”. As a result, relationships that make it possible to determine the lateral force, the turning moment acting in the contact area, the friction loss in the contact area for wheels with different toroidalities as a function of the slip angle and the longitudinal tangential force realized in the contact area are obtained; conclusions about the influence of the convexity on the lateral force, the stabilizing moment and the power of friction losses in the contact area are drawn.