Efficient Approach for Identification of Tire Characteristics Targets with Respect to Vehicle Lateral Dynamics

Authors

Dr. Konstantin Sedlan, Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Germany;
Carsten Schröder, Dr. Christian Marschler, Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, Hanover, Germany

Summary

Tire properties greatly influence the driving characteristics of a passenger car. Tire characteristics, meaning the tire-specific build-up of forces and moments under slip conditions, play a decisive role. One important task in vehicle dynamics development consists of precisely designing the tire characteristics for the respective vehicle. Hence, close cooperation between tire and vehicle manufacturers is necessary so that tires and suspension systems can be matched in an optimal manner.   
In the classic development process experienced test drivers test and tune the tire during road testing. In multiple development loops various tire variants are tested and optimized on the test mule vehicle until the desired target level is reached. Depending on the number of required development loops this process can be very time-consuming and costly, as additional tire prototypes are needed for every loop. This method is, of course, subject to a certain degree of uncertainty because changing environmental and boundary conditions during road testing can influence the assessment result.

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