Key dynamic performance analysis of flexible spoke non-pneumatic tire for matched unmanned ground vehicles

To fundamentally improve the lifespan of unmanned ground vehicles and their internal parts, it is urgent to address the problem of tire jumping during driving, steering, or turning. This article proposes the use of flexible spoke non-pneumatic tires instead of pneumatic tires. Therefore, a three-dimensional finite element model of a certain type of pneumatic tire and flexible spoke non-pneumatic tire was constructed and the validity of the model was verified. A simulation scheme was designed to investigate the tire cushioning and lateral performance. In order to explore the degree of influence of the structural parameters of the flexible spoke non-pneumatic tire on its cushioning and lateral performance, an orthogonal experimental simulation scheme based on L9 (3³) was developed. The results show that the non-pneumatic tire requires 0.006 s to recover stability after experiencing significant vibration due to passing over a bump, while the pneumatic tire requires 0.028 s. Under rated working conditions, the non-pneumatic tire is subjected to a lateral force of 285.29 N, which is 1.9 times that of the pneumatic tire’s 142.59 N. The cushioning and lateral performance of the non-pneumatic tire is most affected by the element angle α, with an impact level of over 90%. The flexible spoke non-pneumatic tire proposed in this article can effectively solve the tire jumping problem of unmanned ground vehicles during driving, while providing design ideas for improving the cushioning and lateral performance of non-pneumatic tires.