Development of A Novel Integrated Corner Module for Narrow Urban Vehicles. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rajaie, Mohammad-Amin; Khajepour, Amir; Pazooki, Alireza; Soltani, Amir
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 233:Number 3(2019:Mar.)
• Page Start: 548
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Integrated corner module -- in-wheel suspension -- electrical in-wheel motor -- active camber system -- dual four-bar linkage mechanism -- urban vehicle; Mechanical engineering -- Congresses; Transportation engineering -- Congresses; 629.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0954407017748810
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4070

Abstract

Most current urban vehicles are scaled-down versions of standard passenger cars. This imposes serious limitations on the safety, comfort, efficiency, dynamic performance and, hence, customer acceptance of the vehicle. This paper provides a unique design of an integrated corner module including an in-wheel suspension, an electrical in-wheel motor, a friction brake, a steering system, and a camber mechanism, which can be used in any urban vehicle design without modification. For the first time, a dual four-bar linkage mechanism has been designed to generate a virtual kingpin axis and provide an active camber. This approach results in a highly compact design for the corner module that can be integrated into narrow vehicles. A full-size prototype of the proposed integrated corner module has been fabricated and tested to validate the new steering mechanism and the integrated corner module characteristics.