Analysis of Spring Wind-up and Brake Steer in Heavy Commercial Vehicles 2015-26-0221

Suspension is used in heavy duty vehicles to provide sufficient safety to vehicle and passengers from shocks transmitted directly from road. In commercial vehicles, leaf spring suspension used for height load carrying capability in commercial vehicle. The purpose of suspension is not only comfort and load carrying but also to support handling of vehicle however, few suspension characteristics may disturb the same on turning, braking and bouncing. One of the characteristics which disturbs on braking is brake steering where vehicle itself steers on braking and can be a major cause for life threatening accidents on highways and express ways. Optimization of this spring characteristics is quite challenging as one has to play between passenger comfort and handling of vehicle. In this paper, such behavior is studied analytically in detail. In addition, the effect of same on design parameters is studied and thereby recommendation is derived.