14 November 2020 Engineering Mechanics Lab

Assignment #3

Applications of Ackerman Steering

Name: Muhammad Farhan Amin

Registration Number: BSME 01193081

Teacher Name: Sir Muzammal Hussain

Section: A

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Lahore,

Lahore Pakistan
 Ackerman Steering
Introduction
The Ackerman system is a geometry for a steering system. Its purpose is to cater for the fact that
in a turn the rear wheels follow on a tighter turning circle than the front wheels. The vehicle
turns around on a radius from the center of a turn through the axis of the rear wheels and also
each individual front wheel. 
 Mechanism
When a vehicle is turning, the inner front wheel needs to turn at a different angle to the outer
because they are turning on different radii. The Ackermann steering mechanism is a geometric
arrangement of linkages in the steering of a vehicle designed to turn the inner and outer wheels at
the appropriate angles. This model is fully parameterized, allowing customization and
component sizing. Using this model, the ideal Ackermann Angles can be identified, providing an
effective starting point for further analysis in Maple.
The ackerman steering mechanism comprises a steering arm, a left steering cross rod, a right
steering cross rod, a left wheel and a right wheel, wherein the steering arm, the left steering cross
rod and the right steering cross rod are connected together through a traditional method. The left
wheel is provided with a left steering knuckle, and the right wheel is provided with a right
steering knuckle. The ackerman steering mechanism is characterized in that a steering machine
shell body is fixed at the middle of a front shaft, and an ackerman cam plate is fixed on the
steering machine shell body. A curvilinear groove is arranged on the ackerman cam plate, and
the steering machine shell body is connected with a steering guide rail provided with a through
cavity through a steering pin shaft in a rotating mode. The steering arm penetrates through the
through cavity of the steering guide rail, and the front end of the steering arm is movably
connected in the curvilinear groove in a clamping mode. The steering guide rail receives steering
input which is from a steering wheel and then rotates around the steering pin shaft. Therefore, the
steering arm is forced to rotate along the steering guide rail as well as slide relative to the
steering guide rail under the guidance of the curvilinear groove.
 The Ackermann Principle:
When a vehicle is turning, the inner front wheel needs to turn at a different angle to the outer
because they are turning on different radii. The Ackermann steering mechanism is a geometric
arrangement of linkages in the steering of a vehicle designed to turn the inner and outer wheels at
the appropriate angles. Cars use the Ackermann steering principle. The idea behind the
Ackermann steering is that the inner wheel (closer to ICR) should steer for a bigger angle than
the outer wheel in order to allow the vehicle to rotate around the middle point between the rear
wheel axis.
The Ackermann principle is based on the two front steered wheels being pivoted at the ends of
an axle-beam. The original Ackermann linkage has parallel set track-rod-arms, so that both
steered wheels swivel at equal angles. Consequently, the intersecting projection lines do not meet
at one point (Fig. 27.24.). If both front wheels are free to follow their own natural paths, they
would converge and eventually cross each other. Since the vehicle moves along a single mean
path, both wheel tracks conflict continuously with each other causing tyre slip and tread scrub.
Subsequent modified linkage uses inclined track-rod arms so that the inner wheel swivels about
its king-pin slightly more than the outer wheel. Hence the lines drawn through the stub-axles
converge at a single point somewhere along the rear-axle projection.

 Ackermann-linkage Geometry
Ackermann steering geometry is a geometric arrangement of linkages in the steering of a car or
other vehicle designed to solve the problem of wheels on the inside and outside of a turn needing
to trace out circles of different radii.
 Applications of Ackerman Steering

Because the rise of the gas prices worldwide cannot be neglected, hybrid and electric vehicles are
becoming a more viable alternative to the combustion engine vehicle. This article explores the
possibility of using an Ackerman steering system together with an electric drive that uses one
motor per wheel. Wheel-hub motors allow electric drive units to be located where their torque is
needed: at the wheel. Here, they can also be used as brakes. In combination with a new system
architecture, these motors not only enhance efficiency and safety, but also open the door to
personalized cars through software upgrades. One advantage of the system is scalability, which
means it can be adapted also for 4-wheel drive vehicles and the arrangement allows for the
incorporation of every possible type of electronic assistance system. As a result, an experimental
stand was built in order to check the capabilities of the system.

The Ackerman system is a geometry for a steering system. Its purpose is to cater for the fact that
in a turn the rear wheels follow on a tighter turning circle than the front wheels. The vehicle
turns around on a radius from the center of a turn through the axis of the rear wheels and also
each individual front wheel. The Ackerman principle sets the geometry of the steering arms to
align through a point just in front of the rear axle with the wheels straight ahead. There are other
methods and variations but the Ackerman is the most common. They are all slight compromises.