Variable-diameter mobile platform chassis characteristics analysis

Variable diameter wheel mobile platform had been developed, which can meet to the requirement of travelling on the complex terrain such as mountain, ditches, paddy field, dry land and so on. By research on the mobile platform, variable diameter wheel and H-drive four-wheel drive system was developed, and transmission ratio was identified. On this basis, velocity characteristics, the highest speed, and grade ability of the vehicle has been researched. Finally, the relationship between changing of the wheel diameter and degree of vehicle climbing was analyzed. The power performance analysis shows that the vehicle´s powertrain could provide sufficient reserve power, and the highest speed and the climbing ability can meet the design requirements when the platform drive on the road or off-road. In addition, the analysis shows that the grade ability is inversely proportional to the diameter of the wheels, so that the platform could meet the different needs of the slope running and hill running by corresponding changing the wheel diameter.