Influences of Design and Operating Parameters on the Vibration Characteristics of a Honeycomb Non-pneumatic Wheel

A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed for a rolling non-pneumatic wheel (NPW) with honeycomb spokes of 15.8° cell angle using the Abaqus software in order to predict its dynamic responses. The validity of the FE wheel model was established by comparing the predicted wheel responses with the published results, considering similar wheel design parameters and identical operating conditions. These include the peak stresses developed in the honeycomb spokes and the overall vertical deflections of the wheel under normal loads varying from 2–4 kN. Parametric studies considering multiple design and operating parameters were subsequently performed using the verified FE model so as to evaluate their effects on the vibration properties of the NPW, including variation in the overall vertical displacement of the wheel as well as its normal forces acting on the road. The results suggest that the natural frequencies of the dominating modes of vibrations are far less sensitive to the design parameters, when compared to the vertical stiffness of the wheel. The vibration amplitudes, however, are strongly affected by both the design and operating parameters. The results could offer important guidance for tuning the honeycomb wheel design for better ride and noise performance.