The effects of load distribution and hitch position on driving dynamics in towed vehicles

Öz

Car-trailer systems, consisting of a towing vehicle (tractor) and one or more towed vehicles (trailers), are widely used today. The widespread use of these vehicle systems in traffic also brings with it increased accident risks. Sometimes the aim is to transport more cargo and goods at a lower cost, while other times it's for recreational and hobby purposes. Regardless of the purpose, there are several important vehicle parameters that significantly affect driving dynamics in such vehicle combinations. While it's possible to prevent accidents by using expensive control systems and vehicle equipment, it's also possible to prevent accidents simply by understanding and paying attention to the effects of important vehicle parameters. In this study, the effects of the trailer's load distribution, i.e., its center of gravity position on the vehicle's longitudinal axis, and the hitch distance of towing vehicle from the rear axle center of the vehicle on the driving dynamics of both vehicles were investigated. It was found that both of these variables have a significant impact on the lateral dynamics of the car-trailer combination. It was observed that the trailer's load distribution and the hitch distance of towing vehicle from the rear axle center of the vehicle can trigger undesirable jackknifing and snaking behaviors, thus increasing the tendency of the vehicles to roll over. Therefore, it is believed that many potential accidents can be prevented simply by paying attention to the positioning of the loads during trailer loading and the hitch position of the towing vehicle.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Towed vehicles
• load distribution
• hitch position
• trailer stability.

Çekme araçlarda yük dağılımı ve bağlantı noktası konumunun sürüş dinamikleri üzerindeki etkileri

Öz

Çeken araç (çekici) ve bir veya daha fazla çekilen araçtan (römork) oluşan otomobil-römork sistemleri günümüzde yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu araç sistemlerinin trafikte yaygın kullanımı, kaza risklerini de artırmaktadır. Bazen amaç daha düşük maliyetle daha fazla yük ve mal taşımakken, bazen de eğlence ve hobi amaçlıdır. Amaç ne olursa olsun, bu tür araç kombinasyonlarında sürüş dinamiklerini önemli ölçüde etkileyen çeşitli önemli araç parametreleri vardır. Pahalı kontrol sistemleri ve araç ekipmanları kullanarak kazaları önlemek mümkün olduğu gibi, önemli araç parametrelerinin etkilerini anlamak ve bunlara dikkat etmekle de kazaları önlemek mümkündür. Bu çalışmada, treylerin yük dağılımının; yani ağırlık merkezinin aracın uzunlamasına ekseni üzerindeki konumunun ve çekici aracın arka aks merkezinden olan bağlantı mesafesinin her iki aracın sürüş dinamikleri üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu değişkenlerin her ikisinin de otomobil-römork kombinasyonunun yanal dinamikleri üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olduğu bulunmuştur. Römorkun yük dağılımının ve çekici aracın arka aks merkezinden olan bağlantı mesafesinin, istenmeyen makaslama ve yılanlama hareketlerini tetikleyerek araçların devrilme eğilimini artırdığı gözlemlenmiştir. Bu nedenle, römork yükleme sırasında yüklerin konumlandırılmasına ve çekici aracın bağlantı pozisyonuna dikkat edilerek birçok potansiyel kazanın önlenebileceğine inanılmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Çekme araçlar
• yük dağılımı
• bağlantı pozisyonu
• römork stabilitesi

Kaynakça

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