An Innovative Method of Simulating Tire Non-Uniformity Forces for Vehicle Vibration Sensitivity Measurements

This paper presents an innovative method of simulating tire non-uniformity forces for vehicle vibration sensitivity tests. The method utilizes a patented mechanical device to produce a vertical or tangential force independently at a vehicle wheel spindle to simulate the excitation generated by tire non-uniformity forces. Using this device in vehicle vibration sensitivity tests, the amplitude of a vertical force can be set at a desired level without inducing a tangential force; and vice versa for a tangential force. Therefore, the vehicle vibration sensitivity to the vertical or tangential forces can be tested respectively without the confounded effect of other direction excitation. This method eliminates the time and cost associated with tire sorting and provides an effective and reliable testing approach to measure vehicle vibration sensitivity due to tire non-uniformity forces.