MATLAB Optimization and Characteristic Analysis for a Tractor's Steering Trapezoid

In order to make the wheeled tractor steering characteristic curve is closer to the ideal Ackemann steering characteristic curve, we took a wheeled tractor's steering trapezoid as an example when it turns left in this paper. We deduce the four bar linkage geometric relationship of integral steering trapezium mechanism. We took steering trapezoid's bottom corner and the trapezoidal arm length as two design variables, took the minimum accumulated errors of the outer wheel's actual corner between theoretical corner as the objective function, used weight coefficient to fit the tractor actual work conditions and used MATLAB as an optimization design tool, the tractor's steering trapezoid was optimal designed. The steering trapezoid's bottom corner was 71.7 and the trapezoidal arm length was 152.5 mm after optimization. The steering characteristic curve and deviation curve were drawn according to the corresponding parameters of steering trapezium mechanism before and after optimization. The steering characteristic curve and deviation curve verified the improvement before and after optimization. The steering characteristic curve was closer to the ideal Ackerman steering characteristic curve after optimization. The tires wear had been decreased after optimization. Finally, it is concluded that the optimization design method which mentioned in this study is feasible. The method provides reference for steering trapezoidal mechanism optimization design of wheeled tractor.