A new approach to model tyre/road contact

In the Structural Dynamics and Acoustics group at the University of Twente, we aim to develop a quantitative tyre/road noise model. An essential part of this model is an accurate contact algorithm which is fast enough to simulate tyre vibrations up to the acoustic frequencies. In this paper we present a contact algorithm, describing the contact between a tyre and a road surface, which has the potential to be made very fast using the multigrid techniques developed in the field of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication. For the development of the algorithm a flexible ring model is used to describe the tyre. The friction model is based on Coulomb’s friction. We present (quasi-)static results obtained from the algorithm for various friction coefficients, as well as frictionless results for a rotating tyre. The vibrations of the tyre obtained by this model have been used to calculate the radiated sound field by means of a boundary element program (BEMSYS)

An Improved Optimal Slip Ratio Prediction considering Tyre Inflation Pressure Changes

The prediction of optimal slip ratio is crucial to vehicle control systems. Many studies have verified there is a definitive impact of tyre pressure change on the optimal slip ratio. However, the existing method of optimal slip ratio prediction has not taken into account the influence of tyre pressure changes. By introducing a second-order factor, an improved optimal slip ratio prediction considering tyre inflation pressure is proposed in this paper. In order to verify and evaluate the performance of the improved prediction, a cosimulation platform is developed by using MATLAB/Simulink and CarSim software packages, achieving a comprehensive simulation study of vehicle braking performance cooperated with an ABS controller. The simulation results show that the braking distances and braking time under different tyre pressures and initial braking speeds are effectively shortened with the improved prediction of optimal slip ratio. When the tyre pressure is slightly lower than the nominal pressure, the difference of braking performances between original optimal slip ratio and improved optimal slip ratio is the most obvious

The Alaska Workers’ Compensation Law: Fact-Finding, Appellate Review, and the Presumption of Compensability

This paper presents a fault handling strategy for electric vehicles with in-wheel motors. The ap-plied control algorithm is based on tyre-force allocation. One complex tyre-force allocation meth-od, which requires non-linear optimization, as well as a simpler tyre force allocation method are developed and applied. A comparison between them is conducted and evaluated against a standard reference vehicle with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) algorithm. The faults in consideration are electrical faults that can arise in in-wheel motors of permanent-magnet type. The results show for both tyre-force allocation methods an improved re-allocation after a severe fault and thus re-sults in an improved state trajectory recovery. Thereby the proposed fault handling strategy be-comes an important component to improve system dependability and secure vehicle safety.QC 20130611</p

The effect of tyres and a rubber track at high axle loads on soil compaction-Part 2: Multi-axle machine studies

This paper reports on a study of the effect of the passage of multi-axle harvesting machines on the soil physical properties. In particular, it investigates the effect of the rear tyre of a combine harvester on the amount of soil compaction subsequent to the passage of the front tyre/track. The work was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions to determine the effect of a simulated self-propelled combine harvester with a total machine weight of 30–33 t. This was assessed by embedding talcum powder tracer lines in the soil to measure soil displacement and soil density changes. Dry bulk density and penetrometer resistance were also measured. The results showed that the benefit of the rubber track found by Ansorge and Godwin [2007a. The effect of tyres and a rubber track at high axle loads on soil compaction: Part 1: Single Axle Studies. Biosystems Engineering 98 (1), 115–126] was maintained after the additional passage of the rear tyre. After the passage of a track the effect of rear tyre size was insignificant, but the rear tyre size had a significant influence on soil density when following a leading tyre. This was due to a higher strength layer at the soil surface created by the track which was able to withstand the load of the subsequent passes and protect the soil below from further compaction. Results similar to those found for a tracked machine were also achieved by three passes of a 900 mm section width tyre at 5 t load and 0.5 bar inflation pressure. The track results for the 33 t machine were very similar to those of a smaller combine harvester with a total load of 11 t and similar rut width. The study confirmed the benefit of tracks with regard to soil compaction and emphasised the fact that total axle loads and machine weights are less important than how the loads are distributed to the soil

On the influence of tyre and structural properties on the stability of bicycles

In recent years the Whipple Carvallo Bicycle Model has been extended to analyse high speed stability of bicycles. Various researchers have developed models taking into account the effects of front frame compliance and tyre properties, nonetheless, a systematic analysis has not been yet carried out. This paper aims at analysing parametrically the influence of front frame compliance and tyre properties on the open loop stability of bicycles. Some indexes based on the eigenvalues of the dynamic system are defined to evaluate quantitatively bicycle stability. The parametric analysis is carried out with a factorial design approach to determine the most influential parameters. A commuting and a racing bicycle are considered and numerical results show different effects of the various parameters on each bicycle. In the commuting bicycle, the tyre properties have greater influence than front frame compliance, and the weave mode has the main effect on stability. Conversely, in the racing bicycle, the front frame compliance parameters have greater influence than tyre properties, and the wobble mode has the main effect on stability

Shaping the Lives of Little Ones Developmental Equipment Project

Premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may experience extensive hospitalizations due to prematurity and medical complications requiring interventions to sustain life and support physiological development. NICU staff are often focused on immediate medical concerns for these infants and may not consider the development and play needs for these long term hospitalized infants. Occupational therapists are aware of the importance of play and supporting the parental role and co-occupations between the infant and parents. This capstone paper discusses the Shaping the Lives of Little Ones Developmental Equipment Project for infants, nurses, and parents designed to provide opportunities for sensory-motor experiences and play for older infants by increasing access to essential equipment and toys for infants’ development. Details of the project, methodology, implementation, results and future implications for practice and research are presented

Sales and Title and the Proposed Code

Electric powertrain faults that could occur during normal driving can affect the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle and might result in significant course deviations. The severity depends both on the characteristics of the fault itself as well as on how sensitive the vehicle reacts to this type of fault. In this work, a sensitivity study is conducted on the effects of vehicle design parameters, such as geometries and tyre characteristics, and fault characteristics. The vehicle specifications are based on three different parameter sets representing a small city car, a medium-sized sedan and a large passenger car. The evaluation criteria cover the main motions of the vehicle, i.e. longitudinal velocity difference, lateral offset and side slip angle on the rear axle as indicator of the directional stability. A design of experiments approach is applied and the influence on the course deviation is analysed for each studied parameter separately and for all first order combinations. Vehicle parameters of high sensitivity have been found for each criterion. The mass factor is highly relevant for all three motions, while the additional factors wheel base, track width, yaw inertia and vehicle velocity are mainly influencing the lateral and the yaw motion. Changes in the tyre parameters are in general less significant than the vehicle parameters. Among the tyre parameters, the stiffness factor of the tyres on the rear axle has the major influence resulting in a reduction of the course deviation for a stiffer tyre. The fault amplitude is an important fault parameter, together with the fault starting gradient and number of wheels with fault. In this study, it was found that a larger vehicle representing a SUV is more sensitive to these types of faults. To conclude, the result of an electric powertrain fault can cause significant course deviations for all three vehicle types studied.QC 20140909</p

An ABS control logic based on wheel force measurement

The paper presents an anti-lock braking system (ABS) control logic based on the measurement of the longitudinal forces at the hub bearings. The availability of force information allows to design a logic that does not rely on the estimation of the tyre-road friction coefficient, since it continuously tries to exploit the maximum longitudinal tyre force. The logic is designed by means of computer simulation and then tested on a specific hardware in the loop test bench: the experimental results confirm that measured wheel force can lead to a significant improvement of the ABS performances in terms of stopping distance also in the presence of road with variable friction coefficien

Assessment of the employees’ performance – premise for the increase of the quality of the distribution services

The necessity of assessing the personnel in an organization is imposed by the accelerated rhythm of economic and technical-scientific development, by the emergence of some performing in almost all activity fields, by the fierce competition due to the international extension of many companies’ activity. This paper is focused on the necessity of the constant and proper assessment of the human resources performance in a small enterprise in the distribution of tyres. The tyre industry is an important and very dynamic sector within the national economy, with a high performance level, due especially to the presence on the Romanian market of the world greatest tyre producers and distributors. Under these circumstances, on an emergent market, a small enterprise cannot survive unless it offers the best quality services, and this can be fulfilled only by the means of human resources with high performance.employees’ performance, distribution services, Romanian tyre industry.