Quasi-Static Research of ATV/UTV Non-Pneumatic Tires

Jerzy Jackowski,Andrzej Zuska,Marcin Żmuda,Marcin Wieczorek

doi:10.3390/en14206557

Jerzy Jackowski, Andrzej Zuska + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206557

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Abstract

The non-pneumatic tire (NPT) is a type of wheel whichdevelopment is related to the beginning of automotive development. The non-pneumatic tire (NPT) is a type of tire that does not contain compressed gases or fluid to provide directional control and traction. Nowadays, this type of wheel is more and more often used in special purpose vehicles, e.g., in military vehicles and working machines. The main feature of the non-pneumatic tire is a flexible support structure (including the part of the wheel between the tread and the rim). This paper presents the results of research aimed at determining the influence of the geometry of the NPT’s (intended for All-Terrain Vehicle–ATV/Utility Task Vehicle–UTV) load-bearing structure on its quasi-static directional characteristics. The experimental tests included the determination of the radial stiffness of research objects on a non-deformable flat surface and on a single obstacle, as well as the determination of the degree of deformation for the elastic structure and belt. The significant influence of the elastic structure’s shape and the elastomer, as the material forming the NPT, on its radial stiffness was revealed.

Highlights

The non-pneumatic tire’s (NPT) characteristic feature is the transfer of directional forces of the vehicle to the ground without the need to keep gas or fluid inside under a certain pressure [1]
The obvious advantage of NPT is its resistance to going flat, which is typical for pneumatic tires and often leads to the accelerated necessity of their replacement and their troublesome utilization. [2]
In papers modelling the NPT, the shear beam is made of layers of inextensible material between which a core is located [7]

Summary

Introduction

The non-pneumatic tire’s (NPT) characteristic feature is the transfer of directional forces of the vehicle to the ground without the need to keep gas or fluid inside under a certain pressure [1]. The transfer of normal and tangential forces (longitudinal and lateral) of the NPT in the contact area with the ground is carried out mainly by selecting the geometry of the wheel structure and the materials that form it (mainly elastomers). The conducted research were aimed at comparing the elastic properties (in the radial direction) of NPTs with pneumatic tires At this stage of the research, attention was focused on the comparison of the radial stiffness characteristics, which essentially determine the level of dynamic loads transferred in the ground–wheel–body system of the vehicle. The range of the research was established on the basis of observation of changes in normal reactions under the wheels in the tests of an ATV vehicle weighing 460 kg. EEnneerrggiieess22002211,,1144,,6x55F7OR PEER REVIEW Energies 2021, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW.

Discussion