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Active Roll Control of a Semi-Trailer
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English
Abstract
A serious safety problem with tractor/semi-trailer combinations is roll-over. The roll-over threshold of a combination could be increased by using active roll control to roll a trailer into a corner. The key components of such a system are a tiltable fifth-wheel coupling, actuators to apply a moment to the trailer axles, a source of hydraulic power, sensors and a controller. This active roll control system is entirely self-contained within the trailer, so is effective when the trailer is pulled by any tractor or used with a convertor within a train. An active roll control equipped trailer behaves exactly like the same trailer with a conventional suspension except for a reduction in the effective height of the center of gravity of the trailer. Increases in roll-over threshold of 20% to 30% are typical over a wide range of trailer weights and CG heights.
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Citation
Dunwoody, A. and Froese, S., "Active Roll Control of a Semi-Trailer," SAE Technical Paper 933045, 1993, https://doi.org/10.4271/933045.Also In
References
- Mechanics of Heavy Duty Trucks and Truck Combinations University of Michigan Transportation Research Institution Ann Arbor, Michigan 1985
- Ervin R. D. “The influence of size and weight variables on the roll stability of heavy duty trucks,” Tech. Rep. 831163 Society of Automotive Engineers 1983
- Dunwoody A. B. “Digital active suspension,” Car Suspension Systems and Vehicle Dynamics 33 44 Society of Automotive Engineers September 1991