A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF GEOMETRIC SUSPENSION PARAMETERS ON A FSAE VEHICLE STEERING FORCE REDUCTION

Andre Tognolli¹; Agenor de Toledo Fleury¹; Roberto Bortolussi¹

¹ Centro Universitário da FEI

doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-1798

Resumo

The difficulty in setting a vehicle architecture is directly linked to the cost and operating time. In many cases, the use of the same component in several vehicle platforms not always meet the comfort features and the expected performance and corrective adjustments must br made during the development without considering important concepts for the construction of a vehicle. This paper explores the methods of modeling and validation of two computational tools able to accurately replicate the dynamic behavior of a Formula SAE vehicle. Because of the limitations in conducting experimental tests, it is possible to mathematically predict forces and momentum generated on the steering column of the vehicle, minimizing efforts and improving driver comfort even before the component is physically manufactured. Using the Skid Pad as the reference maneuver, the software packages have generated speed and wheel steering values to be compared to each other and, in the sequence, to the results of a fully instrumented SAE Formula vehicle. This analysis gave rise to a change in the axle sleeve design, leading to a considerable reduction in the driver's handling efforts, a decrease of 35% in the binary necessary to turn the steering wheel. In conclusion, one can affirm that the numerical models here considered are sensitive and accurately respond to significant changes in the steering system ratio, caster angle and the lateral displacement of the kingpin, enabling reliable choices in setting the vehicle.

Palavras-chave: vehicle dynamics; steering system; SAE formula; multibody dynamics; mechanical trail