In a world of virtual prototypes and compressed development schedules, the ability to model vehicle responses to road and driver inputs for simulation is crucial. However, vehicle dynamics models can be no better than the tire models that they rely on to translate what happens between the tire and the road to forces and moments at the axle.
Tire models provide engineers the data needed to save time and costs through simulation versus physical testing. However, these models must account for a complex tire / vehicle interactions. Having a firm understanding of how all the pieces work together is key.
Creating accurate and effective tire models requires accurate tire measurements. A variety of measurements may be required, including force and moment, stiffnesses, transient response, inertias, geometric measurements, and material properties. To optimize costs, the choice of measurements and test conditions may depend on the ways the model will be used and the conditions under which the tire will operate. The model parameterization process – fitting the measured data to the model – is also key to achieving success.
How Smithers supports wih tire model development
The model's usage spectrum is identified and used to determine the required tests and conditions. Tire properties such as force and moment, spring rates, impact response, and geometry are measured. Professional interpolation of data into the model (model parameterization) is then done to provide the final tire model for use by the end client. Tire models compatible with a particular vehicle model include:
- Pacejka "Magic Formula" models ('89, '94, '96, '00, '02)
- MF-Tyre™
- MF-Swift™
- FTire™
- Adams Tire
- Other / custom models
Finding the right partner to assist you in making the best vehicle design decisions can be difficult. Smithers provides important advantages when making that choice:
- Testing and modeling experts located within US automotive corridor for convenient service
- Expertise in choosing the right tests and fitting the data
- Continuous improvement with real-world data that has been validated over 20 years
- Team includes tire design, vehicle dynamics, software and testing experts that average over 20 years of experience in the industry
- Proprietary test methods to support more accurate data fitting
- Fast turnaround time (4-6 weeks in most cases)
- Third party, independent source for data
Virtual Tire Model Library
Early vehicle development can benefit from a toolset of tire models that can be quickly simulated in common vehicle simulation software. This provides engineers with meaningful data on tire performance characteristics that can assist them with choosing the best design for a specific vehicle platform or vehicle system.
In addition to being able to provide detailed, individual tire models for various uses, Smithers and Stackpole Engineering collaborated to develop
Virtual Tire Lab in an effort to speed up the tire to vehicle development process. This library of over 30 models of the most popular tires on the market gives users the ability to simulate multiple tires in vehicle platforms to understand how each performs. Access to the
tire library is provided with an annual subscription that allows the user to choose the number and type of tires they'd like to use.
Virtual Tire Lab is a new, innovative tool designed to provide vehicle dynamics engineers with a distinct advantage in reducing development times.
