This paper establishes new analytical results in the mathematical theory of brush tyre models. In the first part, the exact problem which considers large camber angles is analysed from the perspective of linear dynamical systems. Under the assumption of vanishing sliding, the most salient properties of the model are discussed with some insights on concepts as existence and uniqueness of the solution. A comparison against the classic steady-state theory suggests that the latter represents a very good approximation even in case of large camber angles. Furthermore, in respect to the classic theory, the more general situation of limited friction is explored. It is demonstrated that, in transient conditions, exact sliding solutions can be determined for all the one-dimensional problems. For the case of pure lateral slip, the investigation is conducted under the assumption of a strictly concave pressure distribution in the rolling direction.

In this paper, we discuss three improved brush models. The first one deals with the coupling between the slip and spin parameters and is valid for relatively high steering speed and small camber angles; the second one is more complex and considers the presence of a two-dimensional velocity field inside the contact patch due to large camber angles; the third one is more general and combines both the previous formulations. For the last two models, the investigation is conducted with respect to a rectangular contact patch, for which we show that three different regions can be identified, each of them corresponding to a different steady-state solution for the deflection of the bristle. Furthermore, from the transient analysis it emerges that each region can be in turn separated into an area in which steady-state conditions reign and another one in which the transient solution takes place. An asymptotic analysis is carried out for the three models and it is shown that the solutions are equivalent to the ones predicted by the standard brush theory for small values of the spin ratio and camber angle. Finally, a comparison is performed amongst the models to highlight the differences in the predicted tyre characteristics.

This paper presents a novel tyre model which combines the LuGre formulation with the exact brush theory recently developed by the authors, and which accounts for large camber angles and turning speeds. Closed-form solutions for the frictional state at the tyre-road interface are provided for the case of constant slip inputs, considering rectangular and elliptical contact patches. The steady-state tyre characteristics resulting from the proposed approach are compared to those obtained by employing the standard formulation of the LuGre-brush tyre models and the exact brush theory for large camber angles. Then, to cope with the general situation of time-varying slips and spins, two approximated lumped models are developed that describe the aggregate dynamics of the tyre forces and moment. In particular, it is found that the transient evolution of the tangential forces may be approximated by a system of two coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs), whilst the dynamics of the self-aligning moment may be described by combining two systems of two coupled ODEs. Given its stability properties and ease of implementation, the lumped one may be effectively employed for vehicle state estimation and control purposes.