The Effect of Suspension Types and Tuning on Vehicle Durability 2013-01-1437

As a new vehicle is based on common vehicle platform, the durability problems of chassis components in development stage are decreasing. However a vehicle body structure is changed by exterior design and a chassis and a suspension are tuned by vehicle performance targets. The main issue on developing a new vehicle is to satisfy the durability target of a body structure and tuned suspension components. The accuracy of durability Computer Aided Engineering analysis is mainly depending on the accuracy of input loads and boundary conditions on suspension system. The input loads should be estimated accurately. These could be changed by vehicle specifications such as vehicle weight, wheel base and so on. It is also affected by the change of suspension types and tuning parameters.

This paper presents the experimental parametric study results using road load data analysis techniques. The previous research presents the effect of vehicle parameters such as vehicle weight, wheel base, wheel tread, vehicle center of gravity, tire size, tire air pressure and so on. In this research suspension types and tuning parameters such as cross member mounting are investigated. The main factors affecting on input loads and behavior of suspension components are explained.