SET UP AND VALIDATION FOR A SIMULATION OF A SCOOTER CONFORT BENCH

This research activity was developed in order to build an innovative analytical model of a two wheels vehicle for the simulation of a confort test bench. This model should predict the reaction forces transmitted between the vehicle and the rider in the interface points (grip handles, saddleback, footrest).

FEM modelization of a Piaggio's scooter (Hexagon 180cc, 2 strokes) mainframe and its accesories was performed and validated experimentally through a modal eigenvalues and shapes comparison (MAC). Furthrmore a multibody system of the rear suspension was developed, describing the whole vehicle with both flexible and rigid bodies. The dynamic behaviour of this suspension system was validated experimentally (since a test bench was realized) in both the cases of a shaker excitation and of the engine running at different speeds (2500/3500 rpm).

The final aim was to obtain a good agreement in the comparison between the experimental results and the virtual simulation of the scooter running on a confort test bench. This useful methodology could be used in order to predict, from the early design stage, the ride comfort of a scooter.