Multi-chamber tyre designing for fuel economy

Abstract

Rolling resistance plays a major role in tyre development due to its significant influence on energy consumption and environmental impact. Numerous efforts to minimise the tyre’s rolling resistance have met with no or minor success because of the tyre’s complexity and the involved compromises. This paper explores a novel design solution of the multi-chamber tyre, as a potential alternative, for low rolling resistance while meeting other driving requirements – a multi-purpose generalised solution (design-for-all). A novel multi-chamber design (base design) with a validated finite element model was used to create the different novel designs. Statistical analysis based on the design of experiment was conducted to identify the best cavity volumes and inflation settings. The ‘design-for-all’ solution offered a 28% reduction in rolling resistance, an enhanced cornering performance, a matching grip and a satisfactory cushioning.