On the castor dynamic behavior

In this paper, a model describing the castor three-dimensional dynamic behavior, is presented. A procedure, based on the Udwadia-Kalaba formulation has been implemented to write the castor non-linear motion equations. The model takes into account the flexural and lateral compliance of the castor frame and the phenomena related to the wheel rotation. To prescind from the wheel-road interaction parameters, the hypothesis of no sideslip of the wheel has been adopted but other tire models can be easily implemented. The non-linear system stability is evaluated integrating the motion equations and performing a fitting procedure on the natural steering oscillation.