Increase of frictional force of rubber block by uniform contact pressure distribution and its application to tire

摘要

The theorem on the relationship between pressure distribution and the frictional force was derived: "The frictional force is maximized when the pressure distribution is uniform, if μ(P)P is convex with respect to P where μ(P) and Pare friction coefficient and pressure." In order to verify this theorem, the surface shape of the rubber block with the uniform pressure distribution was designed by the optimization technique. The surface shape of the optimized block was dependent on the friction coefficient of contact surface. The optimized block for dry surface increased the frictional force two to ten percent on dry steel and the optimized block for ice surface increased eight percent on ice. The technology of optimized block for dry surface was applied to a tire and verified to be effective for traction on dry asphalt rood, maneuverability, comfort and wear.