Abstract
A novel six-axis force estimation method for arbitrary shape wheels by using strain gauges applied on wheels was proposed. The proposed method firstly estimates distributed contact loads from the tire bead to the wheel rimflange. Secondly, six-axis force is calculated through numerical integration of estimated contact loads. The distributed contact loads were expanded into a series of basical distributed loads to overcome underdetermination of the problem. A numerical experiment for an ordinary tubeless radial tire and a steel wheel with 12 strain gauges was performed. Six-axis force estimation with ±5% measurement error of strain gauges resulted in ±10% estimation error, which is the same accuracy as that of semi-empirically optimized conventional methods.
