Ain Shams University.

ASU Racing Team.

SEM 2019 URBAN Handling report.

Prepared by: Omar Abdulhammed.

Submitted to: ASU Racing team HR.

Table of Contents
1. Explanation of the difference between the MacPherson and Double wishbone suspension
systems. ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. What’s suspension system. ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. MacPherson suspension ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.1. Advantages .................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.2. Disadvantage ................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.3. Sketch for Macpherson suspension. ........................................................................................................ 4
1.3. Double wishbone suspension system ........................................................................................................... 5
1.3.1. Advantages..................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3.2. Disadvantage ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3.3. Sketch for Double wishbone suspension system ................................................................................... 6
2. Explanation of the difference between the dependent & independent suspension system ................ 7
2.1. Dependent suspension.......................................................................................................................... 7
2.2. Independent suspension ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.3. Sketch for the independent & dependent suspension ..................................................................... 7
3. Anti-roll bar & its effect on the vehicle chassis and suspension ............................................................... 8
3.1. Description ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2. Functions ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
3.3. Sketch .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
4. The lateral acceleration of a vehicle ............................................................................................................... 9
4.1. Description ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2. Factors affecting the lateral acceleration of a vehicle .............................................................................. 9
4.2.1. The effect of curvature radius of the turn ............................................................................................... 9
4.2.2. The driving speed .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3. Formula for the lateral acceleration .............................................................................................................. 9
5. The SEM brake test ............................................................................................................................................ 9
5.1. Description ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
6. The braking system main components ........................................................................................................... 9
7. Ackerman steering ............................................................................................................................................ 10
7.1. Description ....................................................................................................................................................... 10
7.2. Free hand sketch ............................................................................................................................................ 10
8. The reduction ratio............................................................................................................................................ 10

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1. Explanation of the difference between the MacPherson and Double wishbone
suspension systems.

1.1. What’s suspension system?

 The suspension system comprises the interface between the vehicle body frame and the road
surface. (This statement assumes that the wheels and tires comprise part of the suspension
system, which they indeed do.) Most people consider that the sole function of the suspension
is to provide a comfortable ride. Although this is true, the system can be said to have three
primary functions:

 Isolate passengers and cargo from vibration and shock. It is desirable to make the
passengers as comfortable as possible; thus, the suspension system must be able to absorb
shocks and dampen vibration caused by irregularities in the road surface.

Improve mobility. The suspension provides clearance between the road and the bottom
of the vehicle. It also provides lateral and longitudinal stability and resists chassis roll.

Provide for vehicle control. The suspension reacts to tire forces including acceleration,
braking, and steering and forces. Furthermore, the suspension system is tasked to maintain the proper
steer and camber angles relative to the road surface, as well as to keep all
four tires in contact with the road while maneuvering.

1.2. MacPherson suspension:-

 The system was invented in 1955 and used on the first Ford Consul. The MacPherson suspension
is a technology for front and rear suspension. It is an independent suspension type, including a
single suspension arm (spring and damper), an anti-roll bar and a lower wishbone arm. The
junction between sprang and unsprang masses is carried by a ball joint on the wheel side and a
side frame axis (to allow different suspension settings). The system spring – damper is attached to
the hub carrier. This arm is also used as steering axis.

1.2.1. Advantages.

 Easy assembly.
 Ratio/cost performance.
 Mass.
 Lateral dimensions.
 Spring and damper motion ratio equal to 1 (damper displacement/spring displacement = 1) .

1.2.2. Disadvantages.
 Precision.
 Vertical dimension.
 Friction.
 Limited possible settings.
 Lower camber gain.

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1.2.3. Sketch for Macpherson suspension.

Free hand schematic sketch for Macpherson system.

Macpherson suspension system 3D model.

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1.3. Double wishbone suspension system:-

 The double-wishbone suspension, also known as an A-arm suspension, is another common type of front
independent suspension. While there are several different possible configurations, this design typically
uses two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone, which has two mounting positions
to the frame and one at the wheel, bears a shock absorber and a coil spring to absorb vibrations.

1.3.1. Advantages.

 The increase of negative chamber as a result of the vertical suspension movement of the upper and lower
arms.

 Better stability properties for the car as the tires on the outside maintain more contact with the road
surface.

 Handling performance also increases.

 The double suspension system is much more rigid and stable than other suspension systems.

1.3.2. Disadvantages.

 Cost issues as it is a more complicated design to produce.

 There are many parts to the system, and thus every time any of these malfunction of fail, your whole
system fails. Repair, modification and maintenance costs and complexities for double wishbone
suspension systems are normally higher due to these reasons.

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1.3.3. Sketch for the double wishbone suspension.

Free hand schematic sketch for double wishbone system.

Double wishbone suspension system 3D model.

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2. Explanation of the difference between the dependent and independent suspension
systems:-

2.1. Dependent suspension :-

 If one wheel moves, other shows movement corresponding to that. These are not in much use nowadays
but being cheaper compared to independent, they can be used.

2.2. Independent suspension:-

 Easy way to put them will be movement of one wheel doesn't affect the other one. These are also of
many types like McPherson strut- used in mid-level cars, double wishbone suspensions - now mostly
used in 4-wheelers, leaf springs- used in heavy vehicles.

2.3. Sketch showing the difference:-

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3. Anti-roll bar & its effect on the vehicle chassis and suspension:

3.1. Description.
Imagine a car driving around a corner or turn, as well as the centrifugal forces at work. There are a few
different forces, depending on whether you have front-wheel steering, rear-wheel steering or 4x4
steering, but the general concept is the same nonetheless., thanks to the centrifugal force, specifically,
the weight of the vehicle is moved onto the wheel opposite the turning side. Consequently, the other
wheel can lose its holding on the road, causing the car to tilt towards the outer wheel, it joins both
wishbones and moves it’s from one side to the other. This means that, if the left wishbone is lifted
during a turn, the right wishbone lifts as well. To which degree this motion is moved is regulated by the
diameter of a torsion string within the anti-roll bar. The stiffer this is, the more force is moved.

3.2. Functions.

 Increase the stiffness of suspension system.

 Ensure the balancing of total vehicle weight upon turning.

3.3. Sketch.

The construction of an anti-roll-bar.

The construction of an anti-roll-bar.

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4. The lateral acceleration of a vehicle:-

4.1. Description.

The acceleration created when a vehicle corners that tends to push a vehicle sideways. Because of
centrifugal force, the vehicle is pushed outward. For this reason, the driver need to accelerate a little as
he reach the apex of the curve to pull himself through the curve.

4.2. Factors affecting the lateral acceleration of a vehicle:-

4.2.1. The effect of curvature radius of the turn.

A lateral acceleration accompanies driving around a curve.

4.2.2. The effect of driving speed.

The lateral acceleration depends on the driving speed in a certain curve segment.
4.3. Formula.
 a = V2/R. a: lateral acceleration (m.sec-2).

V: driving speed (m.sec-1).

R: radius of curvature (m).

5. the SEM brake test:-

5.1. Description.
During inspection, the brakes must be able to hold your vehicle on a 20% incline independently. That means
the front brakes need to hold the vehicle on an incline without assistance from the back brakes, and vice
versa, each brake must not allow the vehicle to move.
It is required to have two separate mechanisms to ensure the safety of the car where one used by foot which
is foot pedal & the one is a handbrake which is recommended to use it on the steering wheel as it ensures
quick action for the vehicle and comfort the driver.

6. the braking system main components:-

 A single command control (lever or foot pedal).

 Command transmission (cables or hoses).
 Brake pads.
 Brake shoes.
 Brake rotors
 Brake calipers.

 Please note that wires and cables are not allowed as transmission elements for brakes only mechanical
links.

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7. Ackerman steering:-

7.1. Description.

It is a steering mechanism where the end of each axle has a spindle that pivots around a kingpin., the
linkages connecting the spindles form a trapezoid, with the base of the trapezoid formed by the rack and tie
rods.
The distance between the tie rod ends is less than the distance between the kingpins, the wheels are parallel
to each other when they are in the straight-ahead position, however, when the wheels are turned, and the
inner wheel turns through a greater angle than the outer wheel.

7.2. Free hand Sketch.

Cot (φ) = W+R/L.

Cot (θ) = R/L.

8. the steering ratio:-

It can be defined as it is the ratio of the number of degrees turned by the steering wheel to the number of
degrees the wheel turn., it has an effect on the driver where a higher steering ratio means that the steering
wheel is turned more to get the wheels turning, but it will be easier to turn the steering wheel. A lower
steering ratio means that the steering wheel is turned less to get the wheels turning, but it will be harder to
turn the steering wheel.
Larger and heavier vehicles will often have a higher steering ratio, which will make the steering wheel easier
to turn. If a truck had a low steering ratio, it would be very hard to turn the steering wheel. In normal and
lighter cars, the wheels are easier to turn, so the steering ratio doesn't have to be as high. In race cars the
ratio is typically very low, because the vehicle must respond to steering input much faster than in normal
cars. The steering wheel is therefore harder to turn.

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