Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
Jae'len Williams - Virginia State University
Co-Author(s): Micheal Mills, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
An analytical method is conducted to evaluate an optimum geometry for a steering mechanism of a Formula One racecar. This geometry had a large influence on the handling characteristics of the vehicle. During a turn, the inside wheel traveled around geometric radius is smaller than the outside wheel, sequentially the wheels travel about their corresponding radii. The Ackermann Steering Principle considered that the outside wheel turn relative to the inside wheel. For years, the Ackermann Steering Principle had always been considered during the geometric design process. To find the optimum geometry parameters such as the track rod length, outer track length, and the angle of track, the rod was varied and the inside wheel angle was calculated with respect to outer wheel angle and then compared with ideal values. The study showed the angle of the track rods had the greatest effect on the performance in which these geometries the indicated up to about 40% deviation from ideal values. By an increased the track rod angle, a more reliable performance with less than 5% error in comparison to ideal values will be achieved.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Virginia State University
Faculty Advisor: Nasser Ghariban, NGhariban@vsu.edu
Role: I was responsible for 3D modeling and had significant input to suggested changes.