Abstract
This paper discusses impact of changes in the load size and distribution in passenger cars on geometry of the suspension and steering systems. It was found to have a major impact on the road safety. The research was carried out with the four most popular suspension system designs used in modern passenger cars, i.e. multi-link suspension on both front and rear axles, only on the front axle, only on the rear axle and a simple suspension design for both front and rear axles. Eight load variants were used for the tests. Changes in the following wheel geometry parameters were identified: toe-in and camber angles of all the wheels and castors for the front wheels. The numerical relationships were determined between the load distribution and sizes and changes in suspension and steering systems in passenger cars. It was found that cars with multi-link suspension in both front and rear axles adapt best to changes in weight and load distribution.
Highlights
In modern vehicles, manufacturers have introduced numerous changes in design, which contributed to an increase in safety during their operation [1,2,3]
When driving cars with such structural solutions, the conditions change depending on the transported load
Type of the suspension system has a significant impact on changes in the wheel geometry parameters
Summary
Manufacturers have introduced numerous changes in design, which contributed to an increase in safety during their operation [1,2,3]. They are related to loading of the car body with a torsional moment, resulting from application of forces from the suspension system, from the surface and the bending moment, resulting from the weight of the vehicles, driver, passengers and transported load. It was found that in the suspension systems with a simpler and less complex design (e.g. McPherson’s column, torsion-beam axle), parameters affecting stiffness and responsible for control of a vehicle (e.g. toe-in, castor) are subject to significant changes depending on the changing load conditions. This limits precise vehicle control and stability during driving. This study analysed impact of changes in size and distribution of the load in a passenger car on parameters of the wheel geometry in vehicles with different suspension system designs
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