Title: Optimum design of a rack-and-pinion steering linkage matching a rectilinear suspension system

Authors: Xiang Liu; Jing-Shan Zhao; Zhi-Jing Feng

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China ' State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China ' State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract: This paper proposes a spatial kinematic model of rack-and-pinion steering linkage matching a rectilinear suspension system. Minimising the steering error and avoiding the interference between the steering linkage and suspension system are used to optimise the steering linkage based on the requirements of transmission efficiency and understeering criterion. Numerical calculation and result comparison show the advanced performance of the steering linkage and verify the optimisation method. This work lays a foundation for the design of steering system and rectilinear suspension system.

Keywords: steering linkage; optimum design; rectilinear suspension; vehicle performance; vehicle suspension; rack-and-pinion steering; spatial kinematics; kinematic modelling; transmission efficiency; understeering; design optimisation; steering design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2014.069113

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2014 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.298 - 312

Received: 01 May 2013
Accepted: 20 Jan 2014
Published online: 28 Apr 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article