For many years the Frazer-Nash Consultancy (FNC), a supplier of engineering technology based in Dorking, England has been investigating the phenomena of vehicle stability, including roll-overs. For over 10 years, it has been re-constructing accidents using its own computer simulations. The proven constancy and accuracy of results has contributed to the resolution of several legal cases. Whilst these simulations can produce accurate data on wheel-lift and roll-over speeds and more importantly can predict speeds at which the vehicle would not have rolled over, there is still little evidence to confirm the real causes of roll-overs and therefore who is ultimately to blame. There are four primary factors affecting the stability of a vehicle whilst cornering. These are vehicle centre of gravity height, vehicle track width, radius of turn and vehicle speed. The method of assessment developed by FNC is a computer simulation that accounts for all of the primary and secondary factors mentioned above. A simulation is able to consider a complete manoeuvre, or series of manoeuvres, and includes the dynamic factors that contribute to the 'handling'. Any vehicle can then be analysed realistically under various conditions of turning, acceleration and deceleration, travelling over road irregularities and with different kinds of suspension. Several features are incorporated into a simulation, including tyre configurations and stiffness, suspension geometry and stiffness, vehicle geometry, weight and centre of gravity positions, cargo type, geometry, weight and density, fifth wheel characteristics and speed and trajectory.
Room to manoeuvre
Automotive Engineer ; 28 , 4 ; 62-65
2003
3 Seiten, 4 Bilder
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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