Strength Analysis of the Drive Unit of the Wheeled Mobile Platform Including the Contact Phenomena

Original structure of the powertrain, between the electric drive motor and the drive wheel, has been described in this work. The platform is designed in order to provide the analysis of dynamic interactions and their impact on motion which will be a base in defining the control settings of drive units of the powertrain and the steering system. Solution of the powertrain shown in the work provides the ability to uncouple selected drive units and to study motion trajectory in follower motion when the stub axles are immobilized. In this work the contact conditions between the ground and the tread with the simulation of the torque generated by centrifugal forces has been presented. The consequence of the adopted solution is a specific distribution of contact pressures in the contact zone between the tread and the ground and is included in the paper. In the article the FEM model used in the analysis has been introduced. The results obtained from the performed research contained in this publication will be used in developing analytical models with simulation studies about the four-wheeled mobile platform motion with taking into account the friction and slippage.