Initial Research of Steering (IRS)

Work in progress, literally just collecting info rn

Steering Systems

Ackerman Steering + General Observations

• The inner and outer tires turn at different angles to ensure that both tires follow their respective turning radii.

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• Perfect approximation: the steering arm links the pivot point (steering knuckle) and the tie rod (usually a rack and pinion). The steering arms should be in line with the pivot points and the center point of the rear axle. This is the perfect Ackerman design, although some compromises must be made because this ignores some “dynamic and compliant effects” ~ Wikipedia

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Bell Crank Steering

Raptor I: Bell Crank Steering Mechanism

http://forums.bajasae.net/forum/bell-crank-steering_topic1252.html

Virtual Pivot

Lego Technic Virtual Pivot Steering + Suspension System - Lego Technic Mastery

Steering Gearbox vs Rack and Pinion

Four wheel steering

Dual pivot

Mercedes-Benz Media

http://www.car-d.fr/inventions.php?lng=en

Caster and the effects on steering return

• A positive caster will allow the wheels to return to center when the steering wheel is released

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLbs8kBXgrw&ab_channel=driving4answers

Special Considerations for Catamaran Design

• Main “rack” will need to be across the top, and transfer the rotation at the ends of the steering arms using some kind of vertical shaft? Similar to how catamaran boats steer.

https://www.jefa.com/steering/examples/catamaran-cable/cat-cable.htm

https://www.jefa.com/steering/examples/catamaran-push-pull/cat-push-pull.htm

Good equations

• Theta = ArcTan( Wheelbase / (turning radius - track/2))

  • Note that the turning radius is not shown in the diagram below but you can imagine it being the arc along which the centreline of the car must travel. This number needs to be adjusted so that the outer wheel will travel along the maximum allowed radius. That is to say, (turning radius + wheelTrack/2) < max allowed radius.

    • (7m outer radius used for msxii, regs say 8.5m -> 6m inner radius, + 5m wide lane = 8.5m middle arch)

  • theta is the inside wheel turning angle, otherwise known as maximum turning angle

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WRITTEN NOTES - TO BE CONTINUED AND CONVERTED TO BETTER FORMAT

To do

• Transfer written notes to confluence

• finish winning solar car and then move onto race car dynamics textbook

• document key equations (Emily had a doc, go thru it and see if there is anything potentially missing relating to other types of steering systems)

• https://uwmidsun.atlassian.net/l/c/06PVU3yn

• determine mock track and wheel base dimensions

• link to google drive of any solidworks sketches etc.

• investigate msxiv’s steering, how they designed as well as any resources they used