Suspension Design

Kelsey Trattner TTR Technology K.Trattner@ttrtechnololgy.com

References

Topics
Role of a suspension system A Note on Tires Types of suspension systems Variables and their effects Rules of thumb

Role of suspension systems

Suspension connects the unsprung and sprung masses of a car and control the way in which forces are transmitted between them.
Controls the way the tire interacts with the ground surface

A Note on Tires
A tires contact patch is the ONLY thing connecting the car to the ground. Controlling the tire-ground interface has a large impact on how the vehicle will perform.
Normal Force Coefficient of Friction (Tire/Ground) Slip Slip angle Scrub Camber

Tire Variables: Coefficient of Friction

Coeficient of Friction
1.6 1.4 1.2 Tire Force 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 Inner Outer Total Load

Tire Force

0.2
0

100

200 300 400 Normal Load (KG)

500

0 100 200 250 300 400 Normal Load

Tire Variable: Slip Angle

Tire Variables: Scrub

Tire Variables: Camber

Types of suspension: Macpherson strut

Types of suspension: Double A-Arm

Instant Centre

Variables: Roll Centre Height

Roll Centre cont

Sprung Mass C.G. B R. C.

Sprung Mass C.G. Rear Roll Center Front Roll Center

Variables: Kingpin Inclination and Scrub Radius

Variables: Castor and Mechanical Trail

Variables: Camber

Variables: Camber cont

Variables: Motion Ratio

90
80 Damper movement (mm) 70 60 50 40 30 Rising Rate Falling Rate Linear

20
10 0 0 50 Wheel movement (MM)

Pushrod / Pullrod

Monoshock

Rules of Thumb / Design Process

1. Bound the problem:
1. 2. 3. 4. Determine the ride height tech regs? Determine the tire and rim sizes tech regs? Determine track (front and rear) tech regs? Determine any other packaging constraints
1. Steering , brake packaging, safety devices, aero components, drive line considerations, manufacturing issues, control components.

Rules of Thumb / Design Process

1. 2. 3. 4. Determine required suspension movement Determine target roll centre heights Select at rest camber angles Select at rest kingpin angles inclination / castor

Rules of Thumb / Design Process

1. Iterate suspension to achieve appropriate camber and roll centre values and behaviour throughout the predicted operation range.
1. Eliminate inversion or discontinuities in behaviour
1. This may require modification of the RC heights, initial camber angle or castor/kingping angles to achive. The Priority should be : 1. getting the RC heights Front and rear to move in the appropriate fashion: Front RC height = - 2/3 rear RC height throughout the suspension range 2. Get the camber to operate correctly (-)ive on bump with corner induced roll but minimize bump steer

2.

2. Ensure final design has appropriate steering behaviour

1. Some amount of self centring throughout the suspension range

CASE STUDY