Title: An investigation into steering wheel vibrations and design of solution to minimise the severity

Authors: Sumit S. Naygaonkar; Sandeep R. Desai

Addresses: Department of Automobile Engineering, K.E.S.'s Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli, India; Affiliated to: Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 415414, India ' Department of Automobile Engineering, K.E.S.'s Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Rajaramnagar, Islampur, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli, India; Affiliated to: Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 415414, India

Abstract: The paper presents the current status of the vibration of the steering wheel of an agriculture tractor, the agricultural tractor driver survey, measurement and analysis of vibration and recommendation to reduce the severity. The key purpose of this work is to minimise the vibration of the agricultural tractor's steering wheel and to reduce the detrimental health effects on the driver's hands. The survey of agriculture tractor drivers gives information about the severity of steering wheel vibrations experienced by them. Measurement of vibration values of tractor shows the real problem of vibration experienced by drivers while driving a tractor. The study helps to know the severity of steering wheel vibrations through vibration measurements and to know the root causes of steering wheel vibrations. In line with the root cause analysis, the solution is designed to reduce the amplitude of vibration at the steering wheel of the tractors, using tuned mass damper.

Keywords: steering wheel vibration; agriculture tractors; vibration measuring instrument; driver's survey; vibration exposure; hand-transmitted vibration; tuned mass damper; TMD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2021.123441

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2021 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.178 - 200

Received: 07 Apr 2021
Accepted: 09 Aug 2021
Published online: 20 Jun 2022 *

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