Apparatus and method for measuring local tire stiffness

A tire testing apparatus for measuring the local stiffness of a tire, the apparatus comprising:

• a force producing mechanism;
• a force measuring device associated with the force producing mechanism;
• a force transmitting member adapted to apply a force to a tire surface at a plurality of angles, through a range of at least 30 degrees;
• and
• a measuring device adapted to measure a distance corresponding to a displacement of the tire surface produced by the force.

A testing apparatus for measuring the local stiffness of a tire, the apparatus comprising:

• a force producing mechanism;
• a force measuring device associated with the force producing mechanism;
• a force transmitting member adapted to apply a force to at least one of:
• a tire bead region, sidewall, shoulder, internal wall beneath a tread, and internal sidewall;
• and
• a measuring device adapted to measure a distance corresponding to a displacement of the tire surface produced by the force.

A tire testing method, the method comprising:

• mounting a tire to a tire testing machine and a tire testing apparatus for measuring a local stiffness of the tire;
• inflating the tire to a testing pressure;
• applying a force to a local area of the tire using the tire testing apparatus, monitoring the force while rotating the tire relative to the tire testing apparatus;
• measuring a distance corresponding to the local deflection of the tire;
• and
• calculating a local stiffness of the tire.