Title: Traction-limited longitudinal acceleration map for front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive vehicles

Authors: J.M. Starkey

Addresses: Associate Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA

Abstract: The equations governing the longitudinal motion of a vehicle are derived, including rolling resistance, drag, lift, and grade effects. By assuming that the drive wheels are at the traction limit, the equations can be coupled and solved closed-form for the traction-limited acceleration, in terms of drag, grade, and vehicle parameter inspection of the resulting equation shows that acceleration is a linear function of drag, with grade as a parameter. Maximum level-ground acceleration, lap speed, and maximum grade capability are found to be special cases of the general resulting equation. The effects of the location of the centre of gravity, centre of pressure, and choice of drive wheels (front or rear) on traction-limited performance are discussed. Graphical interpretations of the vehicle form balances are also included.

Keywords: vehicle acceleration; vehicle modelling; vehicle performance; front-wheel drive; rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive; longitudinal motion; rolling resistance; drag; lift; grade effects; drive wheels; traction limit; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061738

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.5/6, pp.449 - 458

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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