Tyre Testing Apparatus Slip Angle Load Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tyre testing methods for parameterizing tyre models, such as the Magic Formula 6.1 model, are time-consuming and costly due to the need for numerous sweeps across various load, camber, and slip angle conditions, which is inefficient and impractical for gathering high-quality data.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that simulate real-life tyre loading conditions by varying load in dependence on slip angle, allowing the tyre to be tested under more realistic conditions, reducing the need to test load cases that would not occur in real vehicle scenarios, thereby saving test time without compromising data quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional tyre testing methods are used with numerous sweeps across various load, camber, and slip angle conditions, then comprehensive tyre model parameterisation data is obtained, but test time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidtest time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter space by varying load in dependence on slip angle rather than testing all combinations of load, camber, and slip angle. This parameter transformation reduces the number of test sweeps needed while maintaining data quality for tyre model parameterisation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selecting only the most relevant test conditions that occur in real vehicle scenarios. Instead of performing exhaustive sweeps across all parameter combinations, the method focuses on capturing data under realistic loading conditions, reducing unnecessary tests while maintaining data sufficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If traditional tyre testing methods are used with multiple load cases, then complete tyre behaviour is captured, but the number of test configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre model accuracyVSAvoidtest configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the testing approach by changing how load is applied - varying load in dependence on slip angle rather than maintaining constant load cases. This parameter change reduces the number of test configurations needed while capturing complete tyre behaviour under realistic conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the testing method more universal by focusing on real-life loading conditions that apply across different tyre types and vehicle scenarios. The approach of varying load with slip angle creates a unified testing procedure that can be applied broadly rather than requiring multiple specialised test configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If all load cases are tested including those not occurring in real vehicle scenarios, then comprehensive data is gathered, but test cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidtest efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing testing on specific slip angle ranges and load conditions that are locally relevant to real vehicle operation. Instead of uniformly testing all possible conditions, the method concentrates test efforts on the locally important regions of the parameter space where data is most needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by performing only the necessary tests to capture complete tyre behaviour under realistic conditions. Rather than executing excessive tests across all possible load cases, the method selectively tests only those conditions that occur in actual vehicle scenarios, improving efficiency while maintaining data completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3374749B1Improvements in or relating to tyre testing procedures
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
  • EP3374749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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  • EP3374749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of performing a test on a tyre to record data for parameterisation of a tyre model, wherein the method is performed on a a tyre mounted on a wheel and supported on a mobile axle with respect to a movable testing surface. The method includes supporting the tyre with respect to the movable test surface such that the slip angle of the tyre is controllable and such that the loading on the tyre is controllable, steering the tyre with respect to the test surface so as to vary the tyre slip angle, and applying load to the tyre in dependence on tyre slip angle so as to simulate real life tyre loading conditions. Aspects and embodiments of the invention also provide a computer program product and a machine readable medium. Beneficially, the method results in a tyre being tested under more realistic conditions since the applied tyre loading varies in dependence on the tyre slip angle, thereby mimicking the loading on the tyre experienced as vehicle weight transfers during cornering. This ensures that accurate tyre performance data representing the real-life performance envelope of the tyre is captured during testing, whilst test time can be saved by not testing load cases which the tyre will never experience on a real vehicle.