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Experimental Analysis of the Influence of Body Stiffness on Drivability and Dynamic Body Behavior with On-Road Experiments
Abstract:
As of today, multiple studies suggest a perceptible influence of the vehicle body
stiffness on the drivability and steering feel. Most of them use subjective
methods to score changes in stiffness but do not conduct further measurements to
explain the underlying physical chain. This interaction between the body
stiffness and vehicle dynamics is not fully understood and requires further
research, especially in the on-center behavior and maneuvers of low-lateral
dynamics. This research focuses on these two areas by measuring the steering
inputs, the resulting vehicle response and the vibrational behavior of the body
on a freeway and a comfort test track. Afterward, the main effects of different
stiffening measures are analyzed and discussed. Regarding the influence on the
steering feel, differences can be measured but seem too small to be perceptible
for a normal driver. The magnitude of the effects is comparable to the
influences of nuisance parameters, such as temperature or tire wear. The
vibrational behavior of the vehicle body is subject to greater changes when
modifications in stiffness are made. Additional research into the interaction of
body stiffness and vehicle dynamics must be conducted to build further
understanding of the physical chain. Furthermore, the objectification of
subjective perceptions in this area is another crucial building block in
providing simulative models that can replace prototypes.