Performance Decoupling and Optimization of Non-pneumatic Tires Based on Structured Modeling

An analytical ring model conforming to the structural characteristics of non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) is established. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to determine effects of ring model parameters related to the spokes and the shear band on vertical deflection and contact patch length of the tire. The results indicate that the radial stiffness coefficient of spokes and the radial spring stiffness of shear band play the most important role in affecting the behavior of the NPTs. The equivalence of FEM and the ring model is found by investigating the correlation between design parameters of NPTs and crucial parameters of ring model, and based on this, a structural optimization method of NPTs is proposed to realize performance decoupling. An example of performance decoupling is given where a significant reduction of 5.31% in the maximum contact pressure is achieved while not changing the vertical stiffness of the NPT, thus breaking the design limits and providing guidance for the design of NPTs.