Four Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Step
This handout will examine the physics behind wheeled vehicles climbing slopes.
Fm = mg | (gravitational force of the machine) |
Nf | (normal force of both front wheels) |
Nr | (normal force of both rear wheels) |
Ftf = Nf µ | (tractional force of both front wheels, caused by static friction) |
Ftr = Nr µ | (tractional force of both rear wheels, caused by static friction) |
L | (distance between the front and rear wheels) |
Lc | (distance between the rear wheels and the center of mass) |
h | (height of the center of mass) |
Ø | (angle of incline plane) |
Tipping of the Machine occurs at h=hmax when Nf=0:
What can be done to prevent the machine from tipping?
The necessary static coefficient of friction (µ4WD) for a four wheel drive vehicle:
What can be changed to allow for a lower coefficient of friction?
The necessary static coefficient of friction (µFWD) for a front wheel drive vehicle:
What can be changed to allow for a lower coefficient of friction?
The necessary static coefficient of friction (µRWD) for a rear wheel drive vehicle:
What can be changed to allow for a lower coefficient of friction?
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0 < h < d/2 |