International Journal of Automotive Technology. 2024; 25(2): 235-247.
Influence of Spoke Parameters on Load Capacity of Non-Pneumatic Tires Using Orthogonal Study and Analysis of Variance
State Key Laboratory of Automotive Simulation and Control , Jilin University
ABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate the relationship between the static characteristics of non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) and spoke
design parameters using the fi nite element (FE) method. A three-dimensional FE model of the NPT was established. The
infl uence of diff erent ranges of stress and strain on the calculation accuracy of the Neo-Hookean and Yeoh constitutive
models was analyzed. Subsequently, the main design parameters—spoke thickness, spoke number, and arc curvature—were
selected according to the geometric characteristics of the spokes. The eff ects of these three parameters on the vertical stiff -
ness, maximum spoke stress, overall maximum stress, and maximum and average contact pressures were examined using
univariate and multivariate analysis methods. The range and variance analysis results indicated that the spoke thickness,
spoke number, and arc curvature had a signifi cant eff ect on the vertical stiff ness. Finally, the relationship between the vertical
stiff ness and product of the spoke thickness and number was obtained using a nonlinear fi tting method. When the arc curvature
of the spoke was less than 5 m −1 , the errors between the calculated and simulated vertical stiff ness did not exceed 5%.
This observation can be used to facilitate the rapid design of spoke parameters under diff erent load capacity requirements.
Keywords :
Finite element method · Non-pneumatic tires · Spoke parameter design · Analysis of variance
