Research on prediction method of driving/braking stiffness based on tire cornering stiffness

Aiming at the problems of long tire development cycles and high testing costs, a prediction method of driving/braking stiffness based on tire cornering stiffness was proposed. Firstly, the detailed finite element model of tire is established and compared with test data. Secondly, a beam model that considers the general deformation expression of carcass is established. On this basis, a detailed theoretical model considering the deformation of the beam carcass is established, and the tire cornering stiffness and driving/braking stiffness models are obtained. Then, the expression ability of lateral deformation of the tire is verified by the beam model, and the lateral distribution stiffness of the tire is obtained by combining the cornering stiffness model and the lateral flexibility ratio of tire. Finally, a finite element model of tire with complex patterns was established to explore the influence of the same tread pattern on the steady-state slip stiffness of different tires. Based on the diving/braking stiffness model and the lateral stiffness distribution of the tread, the driving/braking stiffness of the tires was predicted. The predictions were then validated through comparisons with experimental data and the results obtained from methods reported in the literature. The results show that the beam carcass model has a good expression effect on the lateral deformation of tire carcass. The tread pattern has a great influence on cornering stiffness and driving/braking stiffness, and same tread pattern has a consistent influence on the steady-state slip stiffness of different tires. The accuracy of tire driving/braking stiffness prediction is higher than that of test data, and the average accuracy is 91.7%, which verifies the correctness and effectiveness of method. This method provides a certain reference for shortening the tire development cycle and reducing the test cost, as well as the virtual matching between tire and whole vehicle.