Investigation of the effect of lateral adhesion and rolling speed on wheel squeal noise

Abstract

In order to validate prediction models of wheel squeal, a rolling contact test rig is used to investigate fundamental squeal behaviour. The vibration characteristics of the wheel are investigated using analytical and finite element methods, and by experimental impact hammer analysis, respectively. Accordingly, the lateral resonant frequencies and mode shapes of the wheel are determined. A dominant mode is identified based on this as the primary peak in the sound spectrum of squeal and is used as an indicator of the occurrence and magnitude of squeal. The lateral creep curves and amplitudes of wheel vibration at various rolling speeds are measured using a strain gauge technique and predicted. A simplified model including the interaction between lateral force and transverse vibration of the dominant mode is developed, and the experimental and simulated results show the sound pressure level and vibration velocity of the wheel increases substantially as the angle of attack reaches and exceeds the value around 8 mrad. The phenomenon of double peaks in the sound spectrum of wheel squeal is also investigated. It is found that the cause of double peaks is due to the wheel rotation and the frequency divergence of double peaks increases with rolling speed as predicted theoretically.