Mathematical model of tire pressure control for dual-purpose wheeled vehicles under specific operating conditions

Abstract

The paper analyzes approaches to modeling tire–soil interaction and the operating principles of Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS) used in dual-purpose wheeled vehicles. It is shown that in most existing CTIS implementations the control algorithms are primarily focused on vehicle performance indicators such as mobility, traction efficiency, and handling stability, while parameters of tire–soil interaction are rarely used directly as control criteria.

In classical terramechanics models, tire inflation pressure is typically treated as a fixed parameter, which limits the possibility of their direct integration into pressure control systems. To address this limitation, a conceptual approach for integrating an analytical assessment of contact interaction into the CTIS control structure is proposed. Within the proposed framework, the tire–soil contact area is considered as a function of inflation pressure and vertical wheel load, enabling the estimation of the maximum contact pressure acting on the soil.

Based on this estimation, a constraint related to the permissible contact pressure is introduced, which may serve as a control criterion for pressure regulation. The functional structure of the proposed system includes a measurement subsystem, a computational unit for evaluating contact parameters, and a control loop responsible for adjusting the tire inflation pressure. The proposed approach allows adapting control actions depending on variations in operating conditions, including changes in load and soil characteristics.

The limitations of the proposed approach associated with soil heterogeneity, cumulative soil compaction effects, and dynamic load variations during vehicle motion are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the applicability of the model under real operating conditions, where the parameters of the supporting surface may change significantly over time. The obtained results may be used for further development of CTIS control algorithms that take into account agro-environmental constraints and variable operating conditions, as well as for improving the efficiency and adaptability of wheeled vehicles in field and transport applications.