An Research of the Vehicle Conversion Effects on Dynamic Performance Degradation

Nabil Khettou

DraganTrifković

SlavkoMuždeka

AleksandarGrkić

SretenPerić

Upon the vehicle conversion, the converter should ensure before putting the vehicle into service, that the modifications, carried out on the baseline vehicle, do not inhibit the ability of the converted vehicle to properly and surely perform its function. Any change to the vehicle weight distribution and center of gravity, which does not meet the manufacturer guidelines, may lead to excessive body roll and possible rollover. The aim of this work is to estimate degradation of the vehicle dynamic characteristics by recording on-road vehicle parameters on both baseline and converted vehicle. The experiments were carried out for the vehicles performing a double lane change maneuver at different speeds. The obtained results show excessive roll angle, lateral acceleration and suspension deformation, which suggests a higher tendency of the vehicle to instability and loss of control.

Key words: vehicle, terrain vehicle, vehicle modification, vehicle stability, roll angle stability, vehicle testing, field measurements, testing in use, dynamic characteristics.