Mechanism Design and Performance Analysis of Multi-Road Screw-Propelled Vehicle Based on DEM–MBD Coupling

Screw-propelled vehicle (SPV) is a novel multi-terrain vehicle that demonstrates significant potential in military, rescue, and extreme environment applications due to its exceptional terrain adaptability and maneuverability. However, most existing studies primarily focus on performance analysis in a single environment, resulting in a lack of systematic research on vehicle performance across multiple road conditions. In this study, an innovative coupling method combining multi-body dynamics (MBD) and the discrete element method (DEM) was employed to establish a comprehensive model that captures the interaction between the SPV and complex terrain. This model accurately simulates the mechanical behavior of the vehicle under various challenging road conditions, including sand, snow, and hay fields. Using the response surface method (RSM) and the Monte-Carlo method, we optimized key structural parameters of the SPV, such as the height-to-diameter ratio, spiral angle, and number of blades. This optimization process identified the parameter combinations that yield the best performance across multiple road conditions. Experimental results indicate that the adaptability and stability of the optimized SPV in diverse environments have significantly improved, thereby validating the accuracy and reliability of the numerical model. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation for enhancing and optimizing the performance of future SPV and is expected to facilitate ongoing advancements in screw propulsion technology for complex tasks and extreme conditions.