Energy Flow Method for the Study of Motorcycle Wobble Mode

Analysis of Motorcycle Weave Mode by using Energy Flow Method

“…According to Katayama et al (5) , the activation energy from external forces can be calculated with the eigenvalue and eigenvector information. The underlying idea is very simple.…”

“…Analysis of the wobble mode (5) indicates that the wobble mode is stabilized when external forces that contribute energy outflow (suppress the motion) are strengthened, and it is destabilized when the external forces that contribute energy inflow (activate the motion) are strengthened.…”

“…We can avoid using trial and error to stabilize these modes, when the exciting mechanisms of the modes are clarified. Katayama et al (5) , introduced a new method called energy flow to determine the exciting mechanism of the wobble mode. The underlying concept of the energy flow is based upon the following idea: The kinetic energy of a specific dynamical freedom plays a central role in any discussion of the stability of a vibrational mode.…”

“…This method was applied to make clear the exciting mechanism of the wobble mode (5) , and it was discovered that the wobble mode is primarily activated by the forces generated by the yaw rate and the roll rate and suppressed by the forces generated by the lateral acceleration and the front tire side force. It was explained that the basic methods to stabilize the wobble mode are to decrease the activation energy and/or increase the dissipation energy.…”

Effects of Structural Flexibility on Motorcycle Straight Running Stability by using Energy Flow Method

“…2. The X component of each external force expresses the energy flow in the motion, and the energy flow method calculates the X component of each external force (2) . If the X component of an external force is negative, it stabilizes the motion and vice versa.…”