Research Paper Semper 1

ACKERMAN CHOICE

INTRODUCTION

The objective of choosing an Ackerman geometry is to ensure that the car is able

to achieve higher lateral acceleration and yow moment with minimal tyre wear.

The Ackerman geometry is mainly classified into three orientations ,

Ackerman , pro Ackerman , anti/reverse Ackerman .Each orientations provide

Advantages as well as disadvantages depending upon what scenario we put

them in .

CHOICE OF AN ACKERMAN GEOMETRY

The choice of an Ackerman geometry is to fully utilise the tyre in which we run on

From a certain speed onwards the tyre generates some slip with a steering in put

This slip is measured in angles , hence slip angle . The slip angle which is pro

duced by the tire will provide a lateral force which is essential in taking a fast corner .

But when the slip angle is increased the tyre temperature is found to increase

and in turn increases the tyre pressure and hence the pressure of the contact patch in-

creases hence increasing your tyres odds of loosing traction . The key to taking a fast

corner is to run on an Ackerman geometry which is optimal and there for ensuring that

there is a larger lateral grip at an optimal slip angle . The choice of an Ackerman geom-
 Research Paper - - . . . ·- -- - -- Semper 2

Slip Angle@ peak Fy Vs. Fz Adapted ISO

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etry mainly lies on the type of tyres and the load transfer characteristics that the car

have . Let see the “ slip angle at the Max Fy vs Fz “ graph.

At the peak lateral grip , the slip angle decreases with in increase in Fz , which means that the
change in slip angle and the lateral grip is tyre load sensitive . There fore the tyre load plays a
greater role in determining which Ackerman geometry the car should run in . Lets look at the “

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Anti Ackermrln
 Research Paper Semper 3

As you can see for pro Ackerman the lateral force drops significantly after the peak slip angle , but then for
the anti Ackerman geometry the lateral force decreases only a little for a further increases in slip angle then it
drop on further steering input . Now lets take a car into consideration which is taking a corner , the outer
tyres of the car have more Fz than the inner tyres , due to load transfer .

Senario 1 :-

In the case of an hard tyre choice , it is more advisable to run on pro Ackerman , because when the tyres has
a harder compound then the adhesive properties of the tyres rely of the tyre temperature , and inorder to
make the tyre to reach its optimal temperature there is a need of a larger slip angle , since the slip angle de-
creases with increase in Fz, the inner wheels should turn more in order to provide higher slip angle to the
tyres and in turn raising the tyre temperature , since the inner tyre Fz is much less than the outer tyre it is
more easier to give a steering input to the inner wheels . And pro Ackerman helps increasing the tyre temper-
atures of harder tyres so that they can proved the maximum lateral grip .

Senario 2 :-

in the case of a softer tyre compound like the Pirelli hyper soft , it is always suitable to operate the tyres at a
smaller slip angles , since the tyre material is softer the tyre can adhere to the ground much more easily
hence providing a maximum lateral grip for a smaller slip angles , in order to achieve this it is preferable to
run on anti Ackerman when your having a softer tyre , since the slip angle change and the lateral grip are tyre
load sensitive then turning your outer wheels more will be the best choice , as the gutter tyres posses greater
Fz , and increasing Fz will genuinely depress your slip angle , hence your tyres are running at a smaller slip
angle and hence you are preventing your tyres temperature from exceeding and in turn prevent your tyres
from breaking loose .

Senario 3:-

When choosing Ackerman geometry for a sensitive driver the solution is anti Ackerman geometry because

At fast corners only a small amount of steering input is needed and the toe out setting is practically un-
changed , but for slower cornering in will need a higher steering angle and also fast variation of your toe out
is observed .

CONCLUSION

The choice of pro or anti Ackerman is decided by taking your tyre data and your driver into consideration .

For a softer tyre and a sensitive driver anti Ackerman is preferable as anti Ackerman aids in high speed cor-
nering but needing small steering angle, but hurts in slow speed cones with high steering angle. And for
harder tyre compound the pro Ackerman geometry will Aid the tyre to operate at higher slip angle and hence
facilitate in increasing your tyre temperature.
Research Paper Semper 4

graph for pro and anti Ackerman .