Mechanical behavior and mechanism investigation on the optimized and novel bio-inspired nonpneumatic composite tires

Abstract

Abstract Two novel nonpneumatic tires named Tweel-2, designed based on the commercial Tweel model, and Saddle with hyperbolic paraboloid spokes are proposed in this study. Four nonpneumatic tire samples were successfully prepared with the 3D printing technology to measure and analyze and compare their properties. The results of quasi-static compression experiments showed that with the same relative density, the vertical bearing capacity of Tweel-2 tire was 1.4 times that of Tweel tire, while the vertical bearing capacity of the saddle tire was 4 times and 2.4 times that of Tweel and honeycomb tires, respectively. The finite element simulation method was used to explore the mechanism of improvement in vertical bearing capacity and energy absorption of the Tweel-2 and saddle design. The so-called circumferential unit in Tweel-2 and honeycomb tires enhances the deformation coordination between the spokes of Tweel-2 and increases the critical bearing capacity of the spokes by shortening the length of the deformation zone, so that more external work can be consumed under the same vertical deformation. The spatial configuration of the hyperbolic paraboloid can optimize the spatial stress distribution of the saddle tire and makes sure that a bigger amount of material deforms and participates in energy absorption, thus improving the overall strain energy level of the spokes.