EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PARAMETERS AFFECTING THE CASTOR STABILITY OF ROAD WHEELS

THE EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF A MODEL CASTORING WHEEL ON A MOVING ROAD SURFACE IS DESCRIBED. THE STABILITY OF THIS STEERABLE WHEEL WAS INVESTIGATED AS A FUNCTION OF VARIOUS GEOMETRICAL AND PHYSICAL PARAMETERS. A MOST IMPORTANT PARAMETER WAS FOUND TO BE THE LATERAL STIFFNESS OF THE SYSTEM RELATIVE TO THE STEERING AXIS. PREVIOUS WORK HAS EXPLAINED INSTABILITY IN TERMS OF TIRE BEHAVIOR, NOTABLY FOR AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR, BUT IN THESE TESTS A TIRE-LESS WHEEL WAS USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND A MORE FUNDAMENTAL CAUSE. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE OVERALL LATERAL STIFFNESS OF THE WHEEL SYSTEM, OF WHICH TIRE STIFFNESS IS ONE COMPONENT, IS IMPORTANT. THE GRAPHICAL RESULTS FORM A BASIS FOR IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF MOTORCYCLE AND MOTOR CAR FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.

• Corporate Authors:

  N/A

  ,   United States 
• Authors:
  • Roe, G E
  • Thorpe, T E
• Publication Date: 1973-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 365-9
• Serial:
  • Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Stability analysis; Stiffness tests; Testing; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral strength
• Old TRIS Terms: Casters; Design data
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00224530
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 15 2003 12:00AM