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Articulation Angle, Longitudinal
- Definition: The angle between the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and the longitudinal axis of a rigid axle or suspension component as it articulates or moves vertically. This angle measures how much a vehicle’s axle or suspension can flex or pivot along its length while maintaining contact with the ground.
- Context: In off-road vehicles, longitudinal articulation is crucial for maintaining ground clearance and keeping the tire tread flat on uneven terrain. Rigid axles, which do not have joints for vertical hinging like independent suspension systems, allow for a greater articulation angle. This feature helps the vehicle maintain better traction and stability by ensuring that the tires remain in contact with the ground, even when the vehicle is traversing rough or uneven surfaces.
- Advantages of Rigid Axles:
- Maximum Under-Axle Ground Clearance: Rigid axles provide consistent ground clearance, which is beneficial for off-road driving.
- Flat Tire Tread: By keeping the tire tread flat on the ground, rigid axles enhance traction and reduce the risk of getting stuck.
Understanding and optimizing the articulation angle is essential for improving off-road vehicle performance, especially in challenging terrains.
See
- Longitudinal articulation angle