Kinematic analysis of a two-degree-of-freedom steering mechanism used in rigid-axle vehicles

Abstract

The paper presents a kinematic analysis of a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) steering mechanism based on the Ackermann principle and of a type found in rigid-axle vehicles. Using an iterative approach to solve the equations of constraint, major features of the mechanism are investigated, e.g. sensitivity to geometry changes, steering errors induced by axle displacement, motion and force transmission functions. This approach enables the performance and characteristics of the proposed mechanism to be assessed easily and quickly, and a case study is given of a light agricultural tractor.