Dimitri Bazzanella
Proposed design of a single-wheel test rig for a Lunar rover.
Rel. Marcello Chiaberge, Andrea Merlo. Politecnico di Torino, Master of science program in Mechatronic Engineering, 2025
Abstract
This thesis aims to study, analyze, and design a test rig for Lunar rover wheels to understand their lifecycle under various operational configurations. The proposed test rig features a single-wheel with a configurable vertical load, which is suitable for characterizing the first-order of magnitude in wheel-soil interaction and traction capabilities. However, it misses out on vehicle-induced forces deriving from suspensions and the interaction between each wheel. More in advance, the proposed system is designed to meet a set of specific requirements: it must be dismountable, capable of rotating around its own axis with controlled velocity, able to support a maximum load of 150 kg (equivalent to half of the rover’s total weight), and allow for the measurement of the inclination of the arm to which the wheel is attached.
An additional feature includes the ability to vary the wheel’s camber angle in 5° increments
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