METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING SHOULDER WEAR ON TESTING WHEEL

摘要

The present invention includes methods and apparatus for testing tire performance using a laterally-contoured road wheel. Accordingly, particular embodiments of the machine include a wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface configured to engage a tire during operation, the outer tire operating surface arranged along an annular side of the wheel and having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel along a contoured path. The machine may further include a drive source configured to rotate the wheel and a tire mount configured to rotatably maintain a tire. The present invention also includes methods of forming a laterally-contoured tire operating surface for a road wheel.

主权项

1. A method of testing tire performance using a wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a single wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface arranged along an outer annular side of the wheel and configured to engage a tire during operation, the tire operating surface having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel and along a non-linear path and including a convex portion wherein the tire operating surface is symmetrical relative a plane bisecting the width of the tire operating surface, where the non-linear path defines the convex portion arranged between a pair of counter-curvature portions in an axial direction of the wheel, the pair of counter-curvature portions forming a concave side of the wheel; engaging forcefully a tread of a tire against the tire operating surface of the wheel; and, rotating the tire and the wheel while engaged according to the prior step for a sufficient duration to evaluate the tire.