This paper describes the design of a vehicle inertia measurement facility (VIMF) used to measure: (1) vehicle center of gravity position; (2) vehicle roll, pitch, and yaw mass moments of inertia; and (3) vehicle roll/yaw mass product of inertia. The rationale for general design decisions and the methods used to arrive at the decisions are discussed. The design is inspired by the desire to have minimal measurement error and short test time. The design was guided by analytical error analyses of the contributions of individual system errors to the overall measurement error. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database of center of gravity position and mass moment of inertia data for over 300 vehicles was used. This database was used in conjunction with the error analyses to design various VIMF components such as the roll and yaw spring sizes. This provides for a design that yields good experimental repeatability for the full range of lightvehicles that can be tested on the VIMF. The paper also discusses aspects of the VIMF software, for example: (a) the analytical curve fitting; and (b) the error checking of results. Results from the VIMF for two calibration fixtures are presented and compared to the computed center of gravity position and inertia values. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 875861.

The design of a vehicle inertia measurement facility

A Simplified Method for the Measurement of Composite Suspension Parameters

“We are concerned, not with nature alone, but with the total relation between man and the world around him. Its object is not just man's welfare, but the dignity of man's spirit.” Lyndon B. Johnson I am most conscious of the honour of being invited to give the Sixth Handley Page Memorial Lecture, particularly in view of the renown of the previous speakers. Since these lectures are jointly sponsored by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Cranfield Society, I am especially delighted at being the first ex-student of Cranfield who has been invited to present this paper.

The Influence of Aerospace on Future Transport Systems

A lightweighted suspension concept with integrated driving units into the longitudinal arm is proposed, to meet the increasing requirements from environments on both lightweight and propulsion to e...

Concept design and dynamics analysis of a novel lightweight vehicle suspension combined with driving units

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Suspension parameter measurement using side-pull test to enhance modeling of vehicle roll

The paper describes some apparatus which has been developed to measure those characteristics which are of interest in vehicle ride and handling. These are:Vertical, lateral and fore-and-aft tyre stiffnesses and damper characteristics. Suspension spring rates and friction, suspension geometry and suspension roll stiffnesses. Steering gear geometry and dynamic characteristics, moments and products of inertia of the vehicle and vibration characteristics of the seats.Some relevant theory and sample results are included in the Appendices.

R. S. Sharp

Papers

Paper 9: Measurement of Vehicle Characteristics for Ride and Handling: