Impact considerations in automotive design

[Rowan]

After designing the basic geometries of an ATV-type vehicle, I need to know what percentages of body weight are normally considered in vertical and lateral loading on the tyres- so that I can then transfer this information to the rest of the axle for bearing selection etc. In other words, what forces arise, and then what reserve factors are used.

Thank You,
Rowan

 

[GregLocock]

Suspension members for road use are usually designed according to the 3.2.1 rule.

3g vertically 2g fore/aft 1 g laterally. These are not very conservative. You will probably want a decent safety factor for an ATV. I'd guess a factor of 4.

Strike through on the spring towers is a good way to kill suspensions vertically.

The fore aft load comes from striking pot holes etc

Cheers

Greg Locock