Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014Dangos y teitl llawn

3. Specific requirements regarding the vehicle masses and dimensions of subcategories L6e-A, L7e-A and L7e-B relating to static vehicle stability U.K.

3.0.1. Objectives and scope U.K.

3.0.1.1. Subcategories L6e-A (light on-road quads), L7e-A (heavy on-road quads) and L7e-B (heavy all-terrain quads) are four-wheel vehicles that may have to fulfil conflicting design criteria, as they might not only be used on hard paved surfaces but also off-road. The consequence of having to cope with all kinds of terrain may be a high centre of gravity, resulting in an instable vehicle. Minimum test requirements for static vehicle stability may positively influence the configuration of masses and dimensions in the design stage of the vehicle and increase vehicle static stability. U.K.

3.0.1.2. Vehicles of subcategories L6e-A, L7e-A and L7e-B shall comply with the test requirements and performance criteria laid down in this point. U.K.

3.1. Test vehicle U.K.

3.1.1. The test vehicle shall be representative in terms of masses, dimensions and shape for the type-approved vehicle. It shall conform in all its components with the production series or, if the L-category vehicle is different from the production series, a full description shall be given in the test report. In selecting the test vehicle, the manufacturer and the technical service shall agree to the satisfaction of the approval authority which L-category vehicle test model is representative for related vehicle variants. U.K.

3.1.2. Checks U.K.

The following minimum checks on the test vehicle shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for the use considered: wheels, wheel rims, tyres (representative make, type, pressure), axle geometry, adjustment of the suspension and vehicle ground clearance (set according to manufacturer specifications).

3.2. Lateral static stability tests U.K.

3.2.1. All L6e-A, L7e-A and L7e-B subcategory vehicles shall meet the stability performance requirements listed in sections 3.2.3.3 and 3.2.4.1.3 when tested as described below. Tilt table tests shall be conducted in both the loaded configuration and operator and passenger configuration. U.K.

3.2.2. Tilt Table Test U.K.

3.2.2.1. Test Conditions U.K.

Test conditions shall be as follows:

3.2.2.1.1. Loaded Configuration U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.1 The test vehicle shall be in standard condition, without accessories. The test vehicle and components shall be assembled and adjusted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications with the exception of point 3.2.2.1.1.5. U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.2 Tyres shall be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings for normal operation. If more than one pressure is specified, the highest value shall be used. U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.3 All fluids shall be at the recommended level and the fuel tank shall be full. U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.4 Steerable wheels shall be held in the straight-ahead position. U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.5 Adjustable suspension components shall be set to the highest positions. U.K.

3.2.2.1.1.6 The test vehicle shall be loaded so that a test occupant weight or equivalent is placed in each seating position so that the centre of gravity of the weight(s) is 152 mm above the lowest point of the occupant-supporting surface and 254 mm forward of the seat back. A test load shall be securely and evenly distributed to the cargo area(s) so that the cargo limit(s) and the technically permissible mass declared by the manufacturer (maximum mass) are not exceeded. U.K.

3.2.2.2. Operator and passenger configuration U.K.

3.2.2.2.1. The test vehicle shall be in standard condition, without accessories. The test vehicle and components shall be assembled and adjusted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications. U.K.

3.2.2.2.2. Tyres shall be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings for normal operation. If more than one pressure is specified, the lowest value shall be used. U.K.

3.2.2.2.3. All fluids shall be at the recommended level and the fuel tank shall be full. U.K.

3.2.2.2.4. Steerable wheels shall be held in the straight-ahead position. U.K.

3.2.2.2.5. Adjustable suspension components shall be set to the manufacturer’s specified values at the point of delivery to the dealer. U.K.

3.2.2.2.6. The test vehicle shall be loaded so that a test occupant weight or equivalent is placed in the operator seating position and the front outermost occupant seating position so that the centre of gravity of the weight(s) is 152 mm above the lowest point of the occupant-supporting surface and 254 mm forward of the seat back. U.K.

3.2.2.3. Test Device U.K.

A test platform shall be rigid, flat and constructed to be an adjustable slope, tilt table or similar device with a surface finish providing a minimum friction coefficient of 1,0, or a rail, stopper or other means no greater than 25,4 mm in height capable of preventing tyres from sliding under normal test conditions. The platform surface shall be large enough to support all wheels of the vehicle to be tested.

3.2.2.4. Test Procedure U.K.

The test procedure shall be as follows:

3.2.2.4.1.

The test vehicle with test loads in place shall be put on the tilt platform so that a line through the centre of the footprint of the two lowest tyres shall be parallel to the tilt axis of the table and the steerable wheels of the vehicle shall be placed in the straight-ahead position.

3.2.2.4.2.

The stability of the vehicle shall be determined directly by tilting the platform to:

3.2.2.4.2.1.

Loaded configuration — 20 degrees (36,4 %)

3.2.2.4.2.2

Operator and passenger configuration — 28 degrees (53,2 %).

3.2.2.4.3.

The platform shall be tilted back to level.

3.2.2.4.4.

The tyre inflation of all tyres shall be reverified to ensure that they still conform to the test requirements.

3.2.2.4.5.

The test is to be conducted with one side of the vehicle facing the platform tilt axis and repeated with the other side facing the platform tilt axis.

3.2.2.5. Performance Requirements U.K.

Acceptance of the lateral stability test shall require that at least one of the supporting tyre or tyres on the uphill side remains in contact with the surface.

3.2.3. Static stability coefficient — Kst U.K.

3.2.3.1 Test Conditions U.K.

Test conditions shall be as follows:

3.2.3.1.1.

The test vehicle shall be in standard condition, without accessories. The test vehicle and components shall be assembled and adjusted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications.

3.2.3.1.2.

Tyres shall be inflated to the test vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings for normal operation. If more than one pressure is specified, the lowest value shall be used.

3.2.3.1.3.

All fluids shall be at the recommended level and the fuel tank shall be full.

3.2.3.1.4.

Steerable wheels shall be held in the straight-ahead position.

3.2.3.1.5.

Adjustable suspension components shall be set to the values specified at the point of delivery to the dealer.

3.2.3.1.6.

The CG height shall be determined by ISO 10392:2011, the Balance Angle method or another scientifically valid method that produces comparable and repeatable results.

3.2.3.2. Calculation Kst U.K.

Equation 11-1:

Where:

Kst

:

static stability coefficient

CG

:

centre of gravity

Lcg

:

location of the cg forward of the rear axle

Hcg

:

location of the cg above the ground plane

t₁

:

front track width

t₂

:

rear track width

L

:

wheelbase

3.2.3.3. Performance Requirements U.K.

3.2.3.3.1. (Sub)categories L6e-A, L7e-A and L7e-B2: Kst ≥ 1.0 U.K.

3.2.3.3.2. (Sub)category L7e-B1: Kst ≥ 0.7 U.K.

3.2.4. Pitch stability U.K.

3.2.4.1. Test Conditions U.K.

Test conditions shall meet those of point 3.2.2.1.

3.2.4.1.1. Test Device U.K.

A test platform shall be used that meets the requirements of point 3.2.2.

3.2.4.1.2. Test Procedure U.K.

The loaded test vehicle shall be placed on the tilting platform so that the longitudinal centreline is perpendicular to the platform tilt axis. The forward end of the test vehicle shall face the platform tilt axis. Tilt the platform to a 25 degree (46,6 %) gradient and repeat item listed in points 3.2.3 and 3.2.4. Repeat the procedure with the rear end of the test vehicle facing the platform tilt axis.

3.2.4.1.3. Pitch stability performance requirements U.K.

Acceptance of the pitch stability test shall require that at least one of the supporting tyre or tyres on the uphill side remains in contact with the surface.