STABILITY CHARACTERISTIC EVALUATION AND SIMULATION OF E-TRIKE VEHICLE

• Main Author: Lestaluhu, Rakshidatu
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/79545
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

This thesis reveals the stability and maneuverability characteristics of an e-trike prototype vehicle prepared as a freight forwarder. The research is deemed necessary considering that in the operation of shipping goods, it is necessary to have the ability of a vehicle that has good stability and maneuverability. The evaluation was carried out by conducting experimental testing of vehicle stability, vehicle maneuvering tests, and numerical methods of multi-body dynamic simulation, with the previous development of a 3D model of the vehicle. By obtaining the characteristics of the stability and vehicle maneuverability, it is hoped that it can be used as an evaluation for the further development of the vehicle before entering the commercialization stage and will later become a guideline for the relevant government parties for preparing applied regulations. Vehicle stability characteristics are evaluated through vehicle handling characteristics by conducting analytical studies, constant radius tests, and numerical studies in accordance with ISO 4138:2012 standards. The maneuverability of the vehicle is evaluated through a single-lane change test, a double-lane change test, and a multi-body dynamic simulation in accordance with the ISO 3888-1:2020 standard. The results of experimental testing and multi-body dynamic simulations were then evaluated using a qualitative comparison method with the reference curve. In developing a 3D vehicle model for testing multi-body dynamic simulations, there are 3 main input parameters obtained by performing experimental measurements on the e-trike prototype vehicle: 1) vehicle dimensions, 2) center of gravity location, and 3) vehicle suspension characteristics. Analytical studies show the e-trike prototype vehicle has understeer criteria as a vehicle handling characteristic. This is based on the value of the understeer coefficient obtained from the calculation that is greater than zero (Kus > 0) which also indicates that the vehicle has good lateral stability. The same results were also obtained from the qualitative analysis of the steering angle curve with lateral speed on the X-axis (VX) the results of the constant radius test and multi-body dynamic simulation which were evaluated against the reference curve that was used as a reference, where the vehicle handling characteristics were included in the understeer category. The single-lane change test, the double-lane change test, and the multi-body dynamic simulation indicate that the vehicle has good maneuverability, based on the vehicle's ability to pass through the track without any unstable conditions observed. The results of the analysis using a qualitative comparison method on the lateral acceleration curve on the Y-axis (AY) vs the rotational speed on the Z-axis (?Z) against the reference curve also show the same curve shape, indicating that the vehicle has good maneuverability. This study shows that the e-trike prototype vehicle already has good stability and maneuverability characteristics, based on the stability tests and vehicle maneuver tests carried out. There are two important aspects that need to be considered in the further development of vehicles: (1) Improvements in the location of the vehicle's center of gravity and (2) Evaluation of the rake angle This study also obtained safe cruising speed and vehicle safety threshold speed to be able to maintain vehicle stability and reliability when maneuvering based on experimental test results and multi-body dynamic simulations. The experimental safe cruising speed limit for the constant radius test track is 24.62 km/h, while the single-lane change test track and the double-lane change test track are 21.38 km/h and 17.60 km/h, respectively. The result of threshold speed on multibody simulation which is the vehicle’s maximum speed before the instability condition occurs is 24.7 km/h for the constant radius test track and 21.71 km/h for the single-lane change and double-lane change test tracks.