Conceptual Design of Road Vehicles Related to Dynamics

This chapter aims to present the theoretical foundations on which a vehicle is to be conceived and constructed, given the dynamic performance to be attained. The fundamental vehicle construction paradigms are presented and commented. Apparently simple questions are addressed like why cars have four wheels at the four corners of the body or why suspension systems are basically composed by a spring nearby the ground (pneumatic tire) plus a spring and a damper between the wheel and the body. Other basic questions refer to the construction principles of pneumatic tires, active safety, and powertrain/driveline architecture. In order to deal with such fundamental issues, theoretical investigations have been performed; some of the presented derivations are unreferenced. Only simple mechanical models, able to give general results, have been used. Alternatively, experimental data have been analyzed.