Snap-back Energy Dissipation Mechanism Based Elastic Planetary Rover Wheels

doi:10.3901/JME.260594

Abstract

Abstract: Elastic wheels with vibration-damping characteristics have become a crucial direction in the development of planetary rover wheel design. Current elastic wheels primarily focus on vibration isolation but lack effective energy dissipation mechanisms, resulting in challenges regarding terrain adaptability and motion stability. To address this, we construct arch-shaped metal plates with destabilization characteristics based on actual planetary rover operating conditions, and subsequently design an elastic wheel prototype incorporating snap-back-type metastructures as spokes. The regulatory mechanism of key parameters (series spring stiffness) on snap-back characteristics is revealed at the fundamental principle level. Through establishing a lumped parameter model, the influence of spring stiffness on the overall energy dissipation of the metastructure is thoroughly analyzed. Performance validation is ultimately conducted through ground tests and virtual prototype analysis. The results demonstrate that, compared to a common elastic spoke structure, the snap-back bistable metastructure spokes achieve an overall energy dissipation increase of 288% under quasi-static loading conditions, and reduce vibration decay time by 39.2% under dynamic impact. The complete wheel exhibits an average 44.2% reduction in standard deviation of wheel center displacement fluctuations after obstacle crossing across three simulated lunar soil conditions. Both theoretical derivation and experimental data confirm that the snap-back mechanism achieves energy dissipation through high-frequency micro-vibrations of the structure, significantly enhancing the dynamic stability of planetary rover wheels in complex terrains.

Key words: elastic wheels, snap-back, energy dissipation, mechanical metastructures, planetary rover

CLC Number:

TH122

LIU Ruifeng, XU Hongye, YANG Yang, WEI Wenming, WANG Yongquan. Snap-back Energy Dissipation Mechanism Based Elastic Planetary Rover Wheels[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 62(11): 261-271.

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URL: http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/10.3901/JME.260594

http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/Y2026/V62/I11/261

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