Abstract:

A new rollover prevention system(ROPS) was designed for the heavyduty wheel loader by static elastoplastic nonlinear analysis method and lab test technology. A whole loader model including ROPS was built for the dynamic rollover simulation. The initial boundary conditions of rollover were given to perform the simulation. Nine typical rollover cases were simulated by the dynamic explicit finite element method. The dynamic response characteristics of ROPS, such as the dynamic rollover posture, the energy absorption, the impact force as well as the deformation pattern of the plastic hinge were obtained during the simulation process. The loader slides along the slope and finally collides with the horizontal ground without rolling around its longitudinal axis by 360° except the case of slope angle 45° and friction factor 0.6. Under a constant slope both the impact force on ROPS and the kinetic energy absorbed by the loader increase along with going up of the friction factor. Under a constant friction factor, there is a complicated relation among the impact force and kinetic energy, and the slope angle. The obtained results can provide a basis for drafting the dynamic lab test procedure and standard for wheel loader ROPS.

Key words: mechanical design, wheel loader, rollover prevention system(ROPS), impact force, energy absorption, deformation pattern, plastic hinge