New method for braking performance evaluation of automobile tires in icy roads using a simple specimen

Abstract

: The braking performance of a typical car is evaluated in a complex and comprehensive manner by using a fully single finished car at the proving grounds. However, it is difficult to clearly estimate the braking performance due to minute differences(e.g., material and pattern of the tire) because the breaking performance of a car varies according to the combination and operating conditions of the different parts. In particular, the braking performance of a tire on icy roads varies significantly depending on the ice sheet uniformity of the proving ground, and the uncertainty of the performance evaluation becomes even bigger. Furthermore, the time constraints and high cost of the icy road proving ground make it difficult to perform systematic and diverse test matrices. In this study, a fundamental test method is introduced in order to evaluate the braking performance of car tires through a friction test by using a uniform ice prepared in the laboratory. In addition, various frictional coefficients were measured and analyzed according to the changes in travel speed, vertical load, contact area between tire and road surface, ambient temperature, and number of friction braking events. It is confirmed that the methodology developed in this study can be applied cheaply in the basic design of winter tires, and it will be utilized in comparison with the actual driving test results. Copyright 2019 KSAE