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).
Letter to The Dunlop Rubber Co. discussing practical difficulties with a steering device suggestion, referencing Ackermann geometry.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\1\ Scan149 | |
| Date | 27th October 1925 | |
| X457 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/LG. Expl: Dept: 27th. Oct. 1925. Messrs. The Dunlop Rubber Co., Fort Dunlop, Erdington, Birmingham. Dear Sirs, For the attention of Mr. Healey. Research Department. With reference to your letter of the 21st. inst. We thank you for your suggestion contained therein but we foresee one or two rather considerable difficulties in the practical application of it. The geometry of every known Ackeman type of steering is such that on a lock, the leverage available to steer each wheel is widely different and varies constantly. If we fit up the device as in your sketch, on a left-hand turn the right-hand wheel will do all the turning as the leverage to steer it is constantly increasing while the leverage to the near-side wheel is constantly decreasing. We fear the whole steering would be-come too unstable. However, if we get an opportunity, we will rig it up practically and see what does happen. With regard to the six wheels and tyres which you mention. Which exactly are these? The only tyres we remember un-loading were those with the ground treads and having the ply casings at an unusual angle. We have finished our tests with these if you wish to have them back. Yours faithfully, | ||