STABILITY AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF TYS MOPED

Abstract

Mopeds are becoming increasingly popular in urban centers due to their low cost and ' - better mileage. It does however have a poor safety record partly due to training deficiencies and partly due to the design of machine. The motorcycle riding population contains a high proportion of enthusiasts who attach great importance to a machine safety and steering behaviour. Therefore, there is a clear need to study the stability and handling characteristics of moped. The various aspects of vehicle dynamics, modelling considerations, equations of motion, stability criterion etc. that are relevant for the present work are presented. The moped chosen for the purpose of analysis is TVS-Super Champ. It is studied for stability and handling characteristics behaviour The equations of motions are taken from work Sharp (16]. The moped is modelled as a 5 degree of freedom model by representing it as two rigid bodies. In the present work mass and inertia parameters of the moped are measured through experimentation. The wind drag data, force and moment characteristics of the tyres are estimated using existing empirical relations. Eigen values of various modes of vehicle motion are evaluated by means of a program and the modes of motion are studied. The results are presented upon making various parametric studies, recommendations are made and conclusions drawn for improving vehicles stability and handling characteristics