A Study on Minimum Rolling Resistance

摘要

Tire rolling resistance has been a topic of study since the invention of the pneumatic tire. There is currently a heightened interest in this topic because of the need to minimize fuel consumption of vehicles and the introduction of regulations regarding both the maximum allowable rolling resistance and consumer labeling for rolling resistance. The question arises as to how low tire rolling resistance can go. Tire energy loss can be written as the product of the material deformations, the volume of material deformed, and the loss property of the material. The last two terms of the energy loss equation will be considered fixed. This article concentrates on the deformation term. The current paradigm of the steel-belted radial tire is assumed. The minimum deformations required for the function of the tire are established, and the assumption is made that all other deformations are parasitic and can in theory be eliminated. Analytical expressions for the dominant necessary deformations are developed, and the functional relationship for minimum rolling resistance is determined. The functioning point required to reach the minimum rolling resistance is established. The functional relationships are compared with experimental data taken by the whole tire hysteresis method.