Abstract
It is clear that when an automobile negotiates a curve the lateral acceleration causes an increase in tire normal load for the wheels on the outside of the curve and a decrease in load for the inside wheels. However, just how the details of the suspension linkages and the parameters of the springs and shock absorbers affect the dynamics of the load transfer os not easily understood. One even encounters the false idea that since it is the compression and extension of the main suspension springs spring body role which largely determines the changes in normal load, of roll could be reduced, the load transfer would also be reduced. Using free body diagrams, one can explain quite clearly how the load is transferred for steady state cornering, and, using complex multibody models of particular vehicles one can simulate in good fidelity how load transfer occurs dynamically. Here we adopt a middle ground by using the concept of roll center and using a series of half-car bond graph models to point out main effects. Since bond graph junction structures automatically and consistently constrain geometric and force variables simultaneously, they can be used to point out hidden assumptions of other simplified vehicle models.