Energy consumption estimation of non-pneumatic tire and pneumatic tire during rolling

The characteristics of the car tire, and especially its deformation and interaction road, are mainly factors affected the energy consumption of the vehicle and consequently the amount of fuel consumption and emissions to the environment the harmful exhaust gas components. It is estimated that approximately 80-90% of the total energy losses (rolling resistance) are due to internal tire friction, which occurs during its deformation, the remaining 10-20% are ventilation losses, tread face interaction with the road surface and cyclical compression and expansion of air enclosed in the tire. Non-pneumatic tires (NPT) (as a direction of development) are the alternative solutions for conventional tires. Their advantages are as follows maintenance-free and the resistance to typical for pneumatic tires mechanical damages can be a major cause of their widespread use in future (and thus electric) cars. In the available publications, the results of the estimation of the features NPT based on numerical simulations are only presented. There is lack of experimental research results concerning real objects, which determine their driving properties. Presented work is an attempt to check how the change in wheel structure affects the energy consumption of rolling wheels. Research objects (non-pneumatic tire and pneumatic tire) were selected for the size and destination compatibility. Experimental research were carried out at a universal quasi-static tire testing station, which is located at the Institute of Mechanical Vehicles and Transport at the Department of Mechanical at the Military University of Technology. According to the authors, the obtained results can be an interesting and unique supplement to the problem of assessing the properties of new and future (non-pneumatic tire) construction of vehicle wheels.