What is the difference between static friction and rolling resistance?

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Static friction prevents slipping and is crucial in calculating the torque needed for a vehicle to climb a slope, while rolling resistance relates to energy loss due to tire deformation and is not relevant in static analysis. The torque required for climbing includes both the gravitational component (mg*sin(theta)*R) and the traction force (Fr*R), with Fr representing the maximum static friction. In static conditions, the focus should be on static friction rather than rolling resistance, as the latter pertains to dynamic scenarios. The confusion arises from mixing these two concepts, which leads to differing torque calculations. Understanding the distinction between static friction and rolling resistance is essential for accurate vehicle design analysis.
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Hi, it's probably a frequent question, but I can't seem to wrap my hear around. I'm trying to understand how I reach that value, not just how to get the value.
I'm designing a vehicle with 4 wheels. It'll climb a surface with a slope theta (in degrees).
This is the FBD that I've come up with of a wheel. Following my analysis, the torque M that the motor needs to provide is simply Fr*R, where Fr is the friction force.
gaa.png

However, I've seen docs on the internet (page 35/60) that instead considers that the required torque includes an extra force (let's forget about the acceleration and wind force), which is mg*sin(theta)*R. This completely changes the torque analysis, and I don't know why it's like that (not explanation/analysis is given, just that). And I've seen the same equation on other places, including this extra member to the equation force. But alas, I'm clueless as to why it's like that. If you could please enlighten me, an explanation/FBD, whatever fits you, to explain this to me.
Many thanks
 
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If you had a rack railway which can't slip at all (infinite friction?) then you would only have the mg*sin(theta)*R term.
The friction force term corresponds to the maximum torque without slipping.
 
Keith_McClary said:
If you had a rack railway which can't slip at all (infinite friction?) then you would only have the mg*sin(theta)*R term.
I'm sorry, I fail to see how that term appears if you take momentum with respect to the center of mass.
Keith_McClary said:
The friction force term corresponds to the maximum torque without slipping.
The worst case scenario, correct?
 
Your 'Fr*R' and 'mg*sin(theta)*R ' are the same (as you define Fr). The paper that you cited defines Fr as 'rolling resistance' - that's a dynamic force - not relevant in a static analysis.

I would call your Fr the 'traction' (not 'friction') force.
 
Dullard said:
Your 'Fr*R' and 'mg*sin(theta)*R ' are the same (as you define Fr). The paper that you cited defines Fr as 'rolling resistance' - that's a dynamic force - not relevant in a static analysis.

I would call your Fr the 'traction' (not 'friction') force.

Now that you mention it, that's true. But for example, in this page make an analysis and turns out that M=mg*(sinθ+cosθ*μr)*R - the maximum static friction is added. This analysis only considers forces, and then derives the motor torque. Shouldn't I reach the same result?

And you can also find this similar equation in this online calculator. They consider other factors such as number of wheels (n1) and the weight of each wheel (md1), but it's basically the total mass of the system. The other term doesn't matter because it's all zero, so it doesn't affect.
1587745773560.png
 
You're confusing static friction and rolling resistance. Static friction is what keeps the tire from slipping. As long as it is not exceeded, it doesn't matter to your calculations. 'Rolling friction' is (mostly) the effort wasted into changing the shape of the tire as it rolls. Rolling friction is not relevant to a static analysis (which is what you appear to be attempting).
 
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