1. What is a Breakover Angle Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the breakover angle of a vehicle, the maximum angle it can drive over without the undercarriage touching the ground, based on ground clearance and wheelbase.

Purpose: It helps off-road enthusiasts, vehicle designers, and engineers assess a vehicle's capability to navigate obstacles like ridges, ramps, or uneven terrain.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator takes ground clearance and wheelbase with selectable units and computes the breakover angle using the following formula:

• Breakover Angle Formula:
  • \[ \text{B°} = 2 \times \arctan \left( \frac{2 \times \text{gc}}{\text{wb}} \right) \]
  • Where B° is the breakover angle (degrees), gc is ground clearance (inches), wb is wheelbase (inches).
• Unit Conversions:
  • Input (Ground Clearance, Wheelbase): inches, cm, m, ft (1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 m = 39.3701 inches, 1 ft = 12 inches).
  • Output: Breakover angle in degrees (no unit conversion needed).

Steps:

• Input ground clearance and wheelbase with chosen units (inches, cm, m, or ft).
• Compute the breakover angle using the formula.

3. Importance of Breakover Angle Calculations

Calculating breakover angle is useful for:

• Off-Roading: Ensures vehicles can traverse ridges or obstacles without undercarriage damage.
• Vehicle Design: Aids in optimizing ground clearance and wheelbase for off-road performance.
• Safety Assessments: Prevents immobilization or damage when navigating ramps, railroad crossings, or uneven terrain.

4. Using the Calculator

Examples:

• Ground Clearance 11.1 in, Wheelbase 137.3 in:
  \[ \text{B°} = 2 \times \arctan \left( \frac{2 \times 11.1}{137.3} \right) \approx 20.30 \, \text{degrees} \]
• Ground Clearance 15.6 in, Wheelbase 137.3 in:
  \[ \text{B°} = 2 \times \arctan \left( \frac{2 \times 15.6}{137.3} \right) \approx 25.62 \, \text{degrees} \]
• Ground Clearance 0.4 m, Wheelbase 3.5 m:
  Ground Clearance: \( 0.4 \times 39.3701 \approx 15.75 \, \text{in} \).
  Wheelbase: \( 3.5 \times 39.3701 \approx 137.80 \, \text{in} \).
  \[ \text{B°} = 2 \times \arctan \left( \frac{2 \times 15.75}{137.80} \right) \approx 25.83 \, \text{degrees} \]

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is breakover angle important for off-road vehicles?
A: Breakover angle determines the steepest obstacle a vehicle can cross without the undercarriage contacting the ground, critical for off-roading safety and performance.

Q: How accurate is the breakover angle formula?
A: The formula assumes no tire deflection and an ideal scenario where the chassis's lowest point is at the wheelbase midpoint. Actual angles may vary due to vehicle design or terrain conditions.

Q: Can this calculator be used for non-vehicle applications?
A: The formula is designed for vehicles but can be adapted for any object with a defined ground clearance and wheelbase-like structure, such as bicycles or trailers.