Non-pneumatic mechanical elastic wheel natural dynamic characteristics and influencing factors

Abstract

Non-pneumatic tire appears to have advantages over traditional pneumatic tire in terms of flat proof and maintenance free. A mechanical elastic wheel (MEW) with a non-pneumatic elastic outer ring which functions as air of pneumatic tire was presented. The structure of MEW was non-inflatable integrated configuration and the effect of hinges was accounted for only in tension. To establish finite element model of MEW, various nonlinear factors, such as geometrical nonlinearity, material nonlinearity and contact nonlinearity, were considered. Load characteristic test was conducted by tyre dynamic test-bed to obtain force-deflection curve. And the finite element model was validated through load characteristic test. Natural dynamic characteristics of the MEW and its influencing factors were investigated based on the finite element model. Simulation results show that the finite element model closely matched experimental wheel. The results also show that natural frequency is related to ground constraints, material properties, loads and torques. Influencing factors as above obviously affect the amplitude of mode of vibration, but have little effect on mode of vibration shape. The results can provide guidance for experiment research, structural optimization of MEW.

Keywords

vehicles / finite element method / mechanical elastic wheel (MEW) / run-flat tire / natural characteristic / modal analysis

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