Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
M.J.T. Buck Optimalisatie stuurmechanisme van multi-trailer systemen. Literature survey, Report 98.3.TT.5023, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
In this report several steering mechanisms are discussed. For every steering mechanism it is possible to derivate several relationships. Using these relationships it is possible to vary parameters and search for optimal values for them. To make it possible to apply these relationships to different steering mechanisms and cars, one single set is derived for general use.
This set of relationships is used for an amount of calculations. Starting point for these calculations were, that as many parameters as possible must be variable. Conclusions from these calculations are as follows:
It turned out that steering mechanisms placed behind the front axle perform better when the little bars near the turning point of the pole are not crossed. This in contrary to steering mechanisms placed in front of the front axle, where crossed bars bring in the best results.
The use of the steering angle (γ) determined by the method of Ackermann gives good results. Although in most situations the use of a little bit smaller steering angle gives even better results.
Steering mechanisms placed in front of the front axle perform better than mechanisms placed behind the front axle. These mechanisms perform better all over, even if several conditions, for example the length of the pole or a different minimum length for some bars, are changed.
The calculation time can be shortened by designing steering mechanisms on the smallest curve the car has to make. In general, when looking at the maximum and average deviation of these calculations, these mechanisms gave the best results.
Finally a framework was made to display both the ideal and the actually followed path in one picture. The results of this report will be used to write a computer program in Delphi. With this, it should be possible to optimize all the parameters for different cars.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
