Potential and Limitations of an Improved Method to Produce Dynamometric Wheels

Area of Science:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Experimental Mechanics

Background:

• Dynamometric wheels are crucial for measuring tyre-contact forces.
• Previous methods relied on extensive stress measurements and strict symmetry conditions.
• Harmonic elimination techniques offered a path to lower-cost dynamometric wheels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an improved methodology for estimating tyre-contact forces.
• To reduce the complexity and constraints of prior harmonic elimination techniques.
• To develop a more robust and simpler estimation method for dynamometric wheels.

Main Methods:

• Evolved a harmonic elimination technique for tyre-contact force estimation.
• Significantly reduced the number of required radial rim measurement lines.
• Developed a new calibration procedure incorporating angular wheel position.
• Relaxed rigid symmetry constraints of the original methodology.

Main Results:

• The new methodology requires fewer measurement points compared to the previous approach.
• Symmetry constraints are substantially relaxed without increasing estimation error.
• A new calibration procedure accounting for angular position was successfully implemented.
• The method was validated on a standard five-spoke car wheel.

Conclusions:

• The novel methodology offers a simpler and more robust approach to tyre-contact force estimation.
• Reduced measurement points enhance practicality for low-cost dynamometric wheel development.
• Estimation accuracy is maintained at an acceptable level despite methodological simplifications.