Title: Alternative designs for caster shims in commercial vehicles

Authors: Sagar Jambukar; C. Sujatha

Addresses: Machine Design Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India ' Machine Design Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India

Abstract: In vehicles with front solid axles and leaf spring suspension arrangement, caster angles are incorporated using caster shims. Herein the authors investigate the use of an alternative arrangement for introducing caster angle by incorporating the required tilt in the axle design, thereby eliminating the use of caster shims. Comparative numerical analysis for symmetric static loading and peak asymmetric loading for the existing and two other alternative designs has been discussed here. The structural integrity of the proposed designs was found to be equally good, thus resulting in acceptability for practical use. Further, the proposed designs provide added flexibility in the choice of kingpin inclination (KPI) and caster angle, which will result in the improved kinematic and dynamic response of these vehicles. This has been achieved without compromising the functionality of the axle, with the advantage of eliminating a component and, therefore, notable cost savings to the automotive manufacturer.

Keywords: caster angle; caster shims for front solid axle; alternative solid axle design; structural analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2023.134740

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2023 Vol.93 No.1/2, pp.172 - 199

Accepted: 26 Oct 2022
Published online: 09 Nov 2023 *

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