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).
Principles of car springing and weight distribution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\7\ Scan332 | |
| Date | 19th November 1930 | |
| X 7410. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} } R2/M/19.11.30. C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} MOR. C. to C. PN.{Mr Northey} C. to CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} CAR SPRINGING. X.7410. X.5410. The pattern and proportion and general design of our road springs are the best and simplest form we know. They are undoubtedly more flexible than the average examined at the Motor Show. Especially does this refer to the front springs which have been proved to have considerable benefit on the riding qualities of a car. Compared with our earlier work, and up to a few years ago they are considerably more reliable against breakage, and better lubricated, and ought to give great satisfaction if other things beyond my control are made the best of. They are: (1) Maximum flexibility for the average load without bumping on the buffers or rolling. We always thought that both these troubles could be reduced by increasing the damping. (2) Weight distribution - (a) All the weight possible at the rear, and behind the axle. (b) Very little weight in the centre, and especially in the roof. Spare wheels at the side of the body are bad. Any departure from the best weight distribution asks for stiffer springs. (3) Passengers as near as possible to the centre of the wheelbase as shewn in close coupled cars, and every experienced railway traveller will not ride over the bogies - i.e. axles, but goes for the centre of the carriage. Personally I cannot do much more unless I give you a six wheeler. I fear if we adopt excessively flexible springs greater than say 9" & 4" we shall be in trouble due to vibrations in loading i.e. with and without passengers and luggage. There is one point where the mass production people have easier conditions - i.e. they have known body weights. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||