Tire patch characterization and tire model updating = Tire patch characterization and tire model updating

For electrified vehicles, the tire rolling noise is no longer masked by the internal combustion engine and therefore becomes one of the most dominant sources of noise within the cabin and acoustic emission perceived by by-standers. A key component for capturing tire rolling noise is the determination of input excitations in the patch region as a result of road-tire interaction. The study on tire patch characteristics, contact pressure and contact geometry, are therefore important for tire noise estimation. The tire contact patch will be analysed in static and rolling condition. In static condition the tire footprint is taken using two different techniques, watercolor and pressure papers, under different preload and inflation pressure. Both type of footprint will be analysed with the use of the software ImageJ and compared. These data will be then used to validate and update a finite element model of the tire tuning the material parameters using HEEDs. Another set of data coming from previous test about modal analysis in clamped condition was used to update the model. A script was made to match the simulation and test mode shapes, combining MAC, Modal Assurance Criterion and the relative difference of the natural frequencies. In this way it is possible tune again the material parameters with HEEDs. The results of both studies were compared. In rolling condition, the tire was painted with radial stripes to search a deformation of these due to a sort of brush effect caused by the rolling and with that find the contact patch and the shift of its center.