Measurement Technology of Tire Contact Patch under Actual Vehicle Driving Conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the development of tire contact patch measurement system under actual vehicle driving conditions and its applications. The contact patch of the tire/road interface is an essential factor regarding vehicle dynamics, tire-wear and so on. For many years the characteristics of the tire contact patch have been studied, however, those characteristics could not be confirmed under actual vehicle driving conditions. Therefore, we started to develop the tire contact patch measurement system. Since the pressure sensor seat was damaged under cornering or braking condition., the seat form has been redesigned so that the damage is reduced and the characteristics can be measured.