Measurement of Contact Patch Pressure Behaviors in High-Speed Dynamic Conditions

Many of the challenging problems in tire dynamics are related to what happens inside the contact patch. Important tire performance attributes such as grip/friction, wear, and noise are all directly related to the contact patch. Calspan and its technology partner Tekscan have developed a novel sensor system that measures the contact patch pressure of the tire as it is rolling at high speed on a flat-belt tire test machine. The measurement results provide detailed insights into the dynamic contact patch pressure (DCPP) in a wide range of realistic and relevant operating conditions on a flat roadway surface. The contact patch behaviors of three tires of similar size and type, but from different manufacturers, were compared. The results highlight how differences in tire design decisions influence the contact patch behavior and in turn the overall tire performance. Additional applications of the DCPP data are presented and discussed.