The Paper-Tire Concept: A Way to Optimize Tire Force and Moment Properties

A Paper-Tire is a virtual product defined as a set of force and moment equations that are entirely determined by well defined and widely recognized tire characteristics (such as cornering stiffness, peak location, and slide/peak ratio). The vehicle dynamicist may use the Paper-Tire concept to study the effects of tires with various hypothetical characteristics on vehicle behavior. If the dynamicist discovers a set of characteristics yielding a desired vehicle response, he could then ask tire manufacturers to attempt to develop a tire specification with the preferred characteristics. (There is, of course, no guarantee that tire manufacturers can develop a practical tire with the preferred characteristics.)

The paper explains the general principles of the Paper-Tire concept with the help of the BNPS model (derived from the ‘Magic Formula’). A limited set of examples for tire cornering and braking performance are provided at a single load; further possible developments are indicated.