The multi-objective optimization of a non-pneumatic wheel based on its life prediction
ISSN: 0264-4401
Article publication date: 25 March 2019
Issue publication date: 8 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
A novel non-pneumatic safety tire, namely mechanical elastic wheel (ME-Wheel), has been developed recently to solve problems, including tire bursting and flat tire, of typical pneumatic tires. This paper aims to predict the life of the ME-Wheel accurately and settle the problem of lower lifespan.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposes a new method to establish a novel model of virtual proving ground based on finite element analysis, and by combining with the random vibration damage analysis method, the life of an ME-Wheel is predicted precisely. Next, the weak parts and infinite life parts of the ME-Wheel are investigated from the perspective of constant life design, and an approximate response surface model is developed, which is suitable for the ME-Wheel. Then, the optimal results of the ME-Wheel are obtained, including tire modal, mass and its lifetime.
Findings
It is found that the proposed methods can provide a reliable theoretical basis for further improving the structural design and material selection of ME-Wheel parts. The results show that the improved ME-Wheel can reduce the weight and greatly improve the ability of anti-resonance, and the lifetime of ME-Wheel has significantly improved.
Originality/value
A new type of non-pneumatic tire (ME-Wheel) has been developed to avoid problems with traditional tires, such as tire leaking or puncture. A new method to establish a novel model of virtual proving ground based on finite element analysis has been proposed. The weakest key component of the ME-Wheel is determined. The life, mass and modal of the ME-Wheel are optimized.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors give sincere thanks to the editors and the reviewers for their patient work and constructive suggestions. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11672127), the Major Exploration Project of the General Armaments Department of China (Grant No. NHA13002), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. NP2018403) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. KYLX16_0330). The authors greatly appreciated the financial support.
Citation
Xiao, Z., Zhao, Y., Lin, F., Zhu, M., Deng, Y. and Zang, L. (2019), "The multi-objective optimization of a non-pneumatic wheel based on its life prediction", Engineering Computations, Vol. 36 No. 3, pp. 997-1020. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-07-2018-0298
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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