From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Ride quality experiments comparing balloon and cord tires, and discussing the psychology of riding comfort.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\2\ Scan079 | |
| Date | 14th December 1925 | |
| Oy1-E-121425 -2- December 14, 1925. ----------- "Former experiments have indicated that accelerations greater than 100 "Newts" per mile give poor riding, while 50 or less is very good. The majority of our results lie between these points." "It will be noticed that balloon tires do not give results compatible with the accepted theory. For example in some cases floor readings are better than the seat readings." "Then too in some cases readings with balloon tires are higher than with cord tires." "In several cases the Rolls-Royce records show results that are no better than on the A.L.bus. These results are borne out by our personal impressions, the greatest aid to riding comfort in the Rolls-Royce being its smoothness and quietness of operation." "Curve sheet #4 shows the comparative curves between the Rolls-Royce and the A.L.bus." "These were taken over a given set course as explained ---------- the Rolls-Royce was equipped with balloon tires and the floor readings are lower than the seat readings." "This would indicate a very unsuitable seat cushion for use with balloon tires." "Conclusion. "The results obtained from this work give excellent ground for the theory that the psychology of riding comfort is one of the most important if not the most important phase of riding quality work." "If a person can be made to think that a car is easy-riding due to very smooth and quiet operation, the task of giving him riding comfort is half finished." "Therefore reduction of noise and increased smoothness of operation should go hand in hand with decreased vertical accelerations." One feels a certain resentment at the conclusion, and is inclined to blame either the instrument or the interpretation of the results. But having been present at all the tests I am sure we should take them seriously and if possible get a similar instrument and make a long series of tests to improve our riding quality especially in the seat. | ||