Modelling the Dynamics of a Three-wheeled Racecar: A Pilot Study to Establish the Feasibility of Developing a ‘Delta’ Configuration Performance Car

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary study of the dynamics of a ‘delta’ configuration three-wheeled sports car, based on a Reliant Robin chassis. Stiffness and damping values to give this vehicle ‘sporty’ ride dynamics have been proposed. Other dynamic qualities such as rollover and steady-state cornering have also been investigated, and then verified using Carmaker® simulation software. The car performs far better than the Robin in steady-state analyses, but simulation indicates that transient maneuvers such as braked corners can still cause the vehicle to roll. Remedial actions such as lowering the center of gravity are suggested. However, much of the data used in these analyses is assumed, and should be updated as the design progresses. Since the standard calculations used in this report are intended for four-wheeled vehicles, there is scope to develop a more detailed transient model to fully describe the unique dynamics of three-wheeled vehicles and develop design guidelines more suited to them.

Modeling a Battery-Electric Three-Wheeled Car Concept

“…The Mayfly concept had postulated that the lower center of gravity (produced by using hub motors and a floorpan-mounted battery) would give the Mayfly superior performance to existing designs such as the reliant Robin. A 2018 pilot study [2] was conducted into the dynamics of this vehicle, in order to establish if this was indeed the case and establish the extent to which performance is improved. A Reliant Robin of similar size and mass was used as a benchmark.…”