Timothy B. Rhyne¹

Michelin Americas Research & Development Company

515 Michelin Road

Greenville, South Carolina 29605

Tim.Rhyne@US.Michelin.com

(864) 422-4446

Steven M. Cron

Michelin Americas Research & Development Company

515 Michelin Road

Greenville, South Carolina 29605

Steve.Cron@US.Michelin.com

(864) 422-4789

Tire rolling resistance has been a topic of study since the invention of the pneumatic tire.  Currently there is a heightened interest due to the need to minimize fuel consumption of vehicles and the introduction of regulations regarding both the maximum allowable rolling resistance and consumer labeling for rolling resistance.

The question arises as to how low tire rolling resistance can go.  Obviously if lossless materials are developed, the answer is zero.  This is considered an unlikely event and thus the material loss properties are fixed in this study knowing that reduction in material loss will reduce rolling resistance proportionally. 

This paper attacks the other part of the rolling resistance equation, the deformation part.   The current paradigm of the steel belted radial tire is assumed.  The minimum deformations required for the function of the tire are established and the assumption is made that all other deformations are parasitic and can in theory be eliminated.  Analytical expressions for the necessary deformations are developed and the functional relationship for minimum rolling resistance is determined.  The conclusions are substantiated by FEA simulations.

¹Presenting author