Abstract
Lateral forces are known to be important in motorcycle stability. These forces also affect the stability of bicycles. In this study, we focus on the influence of tire lateral forces on bicycle self-stability. On the basis of the work of Whipple, we develop a linear bicycle model, including front and rear wheel lateral forces, in symbolic equations of motion. Modal analysis and dynamic simulation of the bicycle model are conducted and used to examine self-stability. The lateral stability of a bicycle is characterized by two oscillatory vibration modes, namely, wobble and weave, and one non-oscillatory capsize mode. Tire sideslip force modeling reveals the wobble mode, and relaxation modeling reveals the rear wobble mode. At low speed, the unstable capsize mode dominates. At medium speed, the weave mode vibratory motion dominates. At high speed, the wobble mode dominates. The influence of lateral forces on self-stability is identified using the developed model. A nonlinear multibody bicycle model is used to confirm the results of the linear analysis.
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Recommended by Associate Editor Eung-Soo Shin
Byungyil Souh received his B.S. degree in engineering education from Seoul National University and M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science in 1977 and 1979, respectively. He then furthered his studies to receive his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Iowa in 1990. Dr. Souh is currently faculty member of Department of Railway Vehicle Engineering, Dongyang University, Yongju, Korea. His research interests include bicycle dynamics, multi-body dynamics.
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Souh, B. Influence of tire side forces on bicycle self-stability. J Mech Sci Technol 29, 3131–3140 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0711-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-015-0711-z