Title: Theoretical stability analyses of the cornering behaviour of three- and four-wheel vehicles

Authors: Chiang-Nan Chang, Ding-Hwa Ding

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan 32054, Republic of China. ' Mechanical Engineering Department, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan 32054, Republic of China

Abstract: A method that, disregarding the effects of vehicle dynamics and the change of vehicle speed in a short period of time presented by F. Uffelman, is used to predict the turning behaviours of three- and four-wheel vehicles in acceleration and in braking. A tyre mechanics model developed by Dugoff, Fancher and Segal is used. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rollover resistance, oversteer/understeer, and the sliding of wheels. The effects of the drive arrangements are also discussed. The results indicate that a proper engineered three-wheel vehicle can be as stable as a properly engineered four-wheel vehicle.

Keywords: cornering behaviour; four-wheel vehicles; rollover resistance; stability analysis; three-wheel vehicles; turning behaviour; vehicle design; tyre mechanics; tyre modelling; oversteer; understeer; wheel sliding; vehicle rollover.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1994.061863

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1994 Vol.15 No.3/4/5, pp.301 - 317

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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