Search Results

This paper explains a method to estimate and reduce brake pulling of vehicles due to force difference between RH and LH brake during straight ahead braking. One of the cause of brake pulling during straight ahead braking is brake force difference between right and left brakes of front and rear axles. It is challenging to eliminate this unwanted pulling especially during panic braking in shorter wheelbase vehicles having high center of gravity (CG) and drum brake on all wheels. A mathematical model is developed to estimate amount of brake pulling from known parameters like brake force, tire properties, steering geometry, suspension hard points, vehicle CG, scrub radius, castor angle etc. Vehicle tests were conducted to measure amount of brake pulling and close correlation was observed between vehicle test results and derived model.

Recent infrastructural developments and emerging automotive market in India has given an impetus to the transportation industry and has led to high end research activities in synchronization with growing customer demands and competition especially in last decade. Since average speeds in India has gone up from 50 kmph in the year 2000 to almost 100 kmph in 2011, even the Light Commercial Vehicles (5 to 9.6T) are gradually experiencing a shift from low speed to high speed goods carrier. These new age vehicles are developed with a driver centric outlook towards safety and comfort. They are better optimized and equipped to the changing needs of the consumer and road conditions. Increase in vehicle speed poses many challenges in terms of occupant safety and control. In view of this, refinement of different vehicle handling parameters with respect to steering system compliance becomes far more critical.