Rolling Resistance Measurements with a Piezo-EIectric Measuring System 810167

Roiling resistance of tires has become an important factor in the energy system of an automobile. To reduce the rolling resistance forces of tires it is necessary to have a measuring system capable to distinguish small differences due to small variations in the tire itself and due to varying usage conditions. The Delft Vehicle Research Laboratory has designed and built a measuring system based on piezo electric multi component force transducers. The system has been mounted as a fifth wheel in a frontwheel driven car and may be used either in the laboratory or on the road. Results of measurements are presented for one representative steel belted radial tire type and influences of load, speed, inflation, toe-in, camber and tread depth are given.

During the measurements the tread surface temperature, shoulder temperature and inflation rise are registered. To indicate the meaning of differences in rolling resistance, the relation to the fuel consumption of a midsize european car is reported.