Numerical and experimental investigation on the camber performance of a non-pneumatic mechanical elastic wheel

Abstract

Tire safety is a pretty important performance for the vehicle. To overcome some disadvantages of the conventional pneumatic tire, a new non-pneumatic mechanical elastic wheel (ME-Wheel) is developed, and the camber performance of ME-Wheel is studied with numerical and experimental methods. A nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of the ME-Wheel, which includes material nonlinearities, large deformation and the anisotropy of rubber–cord composites, is established. The rubber components of the ME-Wheel are analyzed by Moony–Rivlin model. With a vertical test rig, static loading tests are performed to validate the accuracy and reliability of the finite element model. Experiments and simulations under the static and rolling conditions are conducted to study the influence of different camber angles on the vertical stiffness, wheel deformation, contact pressure distribution and wheel force at the interface. The simulation results and the test results are compared and discussed in detail. The results show that the proposed method is useful for the investigation of mechanical characteristics of ME-Wheel and the later optimal design.