The effect of steering feel on the crosswind performance of buses - Part II : Objective assessment and correlation with subjective judgements

• The steering feel is considered to be an important part of the on-centre handling characteristics of vehicles and therefore of interest when improving the crosswind performance of buses. In this paper a methodology is proposed which uses a moving-base driving simulator for studying the influence of steering feel on the objective judgement of crosswind performance. The results obtained with this method show that there exists a correlation between the steering feel and the objective evaluation of crosswind performance. The objective results show that the lateral deviation due to a crosswind gust is reduced for all levels of crosswind sensitivity when the yaw rate gradients referencing both the steering-wheel angle and the steering-wheel torque are increased, thereby minimising the maximum required steering power. This is in contrast to the subjective results, which showed that low yaw rate gradients were preferred when the centre of gravity was in the most forward position. The results presented in this study imply a great potential in using an adaptive steering system, since the steering feel that objectively is most suitable under crosswind excitation is not subjectively preferred for all the centre of gravity positions.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Farkostteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Vehicle Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

crosswind

buses

steering feel

objective

Vehicle engineering

Farkostteknik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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