Abstract
High trafficability and stability are the most two significant features of the forestry chassis. In this study, in order to improve surface trafficability, a novel articulated wheel-legged forestry chassis(AWLFC) is presented. To balance the trafficability and stability, a serial suspension system which is a combination with the active four-bar linkage articulated suspension (AFLAS) and passive V shape rocker-bogie is proposed. Then, parameter optimization with a comprehensive object function is implemented not only to enhance the trafficability and stability benefit of the structure but also to reduce the wheel slip. After that, through the flexible kinematic model based on screw theory, characteristics such as leveling ability and surface profile accessibility of the chassis are analyzed. The minimum accessible radius is obtained as 3088mm, and the longitudinal and lateral leveling angle reaches to 22° and 28.7° separately. The new chassis performs better on leveling ability and surface profile accessibility than the forestry chassis in the current literature. Finally, compared with the simulation and prototype experiment, error rates of the flexible kinematic analysis are reduced by 12.2% and 8.6% related to the rigid model. Previously inaccessible forestry working environments can be available with the development of AWLFC.