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).
Steering geometry challenges, wheel obstructions, and the effects of different tyre and suspension setups.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 182\M20\M20.1\ img019 | |
| Date | 16th April 1924 | |
| R.{Sir Henry Royce} R.{Sir Henry Royce} 235a.(100 T) (S.H. 159 11-8-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2800 TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} B. ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} RG.{Mr Rowledge} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} ) SECRET. R2/M16.4.24. ORIGINAL E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} CS. Copy to OJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} STEERING. X9430 X9410 I have set out a 36" wheel with a 2" obstruction and find that it touches the wheel 8" in front of the centre, therefore whatever we do with the pivots in front elevation we cannot reduce the stress set up by an oblique obstruction, and I understand this is the trouble that we and all others are up against. All the other improvements we have made are very smallcomparatively. A backward lean of the upper end of the pivot reduces this 8" slightly, but soon becomes dangerous for other reasons as I previously pointed out. Balloon tyres and low inflation are better. Heavy wheels and axles, springs, brakes etc, are worse, because the latter prevent the quick rising of the road wheels over the obstruction. We can limit or reduce the shock to the steering by ample clearance and low rating the buffer springs, leaving the blow to expend itself on the inertia of the wheel. We can make it felt less on the steering wheel by slower steering and less efficiency of the steering worm transmission. (How can we by small stages make the steering gear less and less reversible? I have not found an answer.) R.. | ||