The improvement in tire rolling efficiency is one of the key elements to optimize the fuel economy and thereby reduce the vehicle emissions. Earlier efforts to reduce the rolling resistance have mainly been focusing on new materials in the tire compounds. The overall research aim of this study is to present the potentials ofimplementing innovative chassis concepts with the focus on Wheel Corner Modules (WCM) by describing thepossibilities in affecting rolling resistance and relating them to previous research findings. The core idea of theconcept is to actively control and actuate all degrees of freedom in the wheel i.e. implementing steering,suspension and propulsion functions into a unique module which can be implemented in each corner of the vehicle. Using this concept the limitations of traditional wheel kinematics can be resolved extensively. This article presents the first step towards creating a vehicle simulation model that can show how the WCM functionality can influence the rolling resistance. A model of loss is chosen after analysing the behaviour of three different rubber models and then implemented into a brush tire model. An effective way, but less complicatedcompared to current methods, to introduce the loss into tire model is presented. In conventional suspensions, thedesign is compromising between for example safety, comfort and rolling resistance, etc. at all drivingconditions. However, using the WCM, the possibility of achieving a better compromise between those objectivesis possible. Finally, based on WCM functionalities a plausible control architecture is proposed.

The aim of this study is to evaluate optimal active camber strategies for improvement of vehicle performance and safety during limit handling. Numerical optimisation is used to find solutions on how the active camber should be controlled and coordinated in cooperation with individual braking and front axle steering. Based on the characteristics of a multi-line brush tyre model, a Simple Magic Formula description is developed where camber dependency, load sensitivity and first order speed dependent relaxation dynamics are included. The vehicle is analysed during an evasive manoeuvre when the vehicle is running at the limit. It is evident from the results that active camber control can improve safety and performance during an avoidance manoeuvre.

This study aim to develop a three dimensional multi-line brush based tyre model for investigating the rolling resistance and energy loss in tyres. The losses in the model are characterised by the external losses originated from the sliding phenomenon in the tyre contact patch, and the internal losses due to the tyre viscoelastic nature which is employed by a rubber model. The Extended Brush tyre Model (EBM) proposed in this work can be used to estimate the dissipated energy and the rolling resistance under different driving manoeuvres and wheel conditions. This paper focuses on the estimation of energy loss and in-plane rolling resistance.

This paper describes a semi-physical tyre model that enables studies of rolling loss in combination with vehicle dynamic simulations. The proposed model, named extended brush tyre model (EBM), takes the effects of driving conditions, wheel alignment, and tyre materials into account. Compared to the basic brush tyre model, EBM includes multiple numbers of lines and bristles as well as integrated rubber elements into the bristles. The force and moment characteristics of the model are shown to have a good correlation with the Magic Formula tyre model and experimental data. The numerically estimated rolling resistance coefficients under different conditions are compared to findings in the literature, FE-simulations and experiments. The model can capture some aspects that are not covered by the available literature and experimental observations such as camber effect on rolling loss. EBM can be used as a platform for future studies of rolling loss optimisation using active chassis control.