Abstract
Abstract. A numerical investigation is performed into the effects of rigid and compliant suspension linkages, respectively, on: the kinematics and handling performance of a lightweight electric vehicle (EV). CAE models of the front and rear suspension systems are first established based on the measured parameters of the target vehicle. The validity of the CAE models is confirmed by comparing the results obtained for the camber angle and kingpin inclination angle with those obtained mathematically using the vector loop method. CAE models are then performed using half-vehicle and whole-vehicle models. Quarter-vehicle simulations are then performed to compare the solutions obtained from the compliance and rigid-body models for the forces acting on the hardpoints of the two suspension systems under pothole impact conditions. Finally, whole-vehicle simulations are conducted using both the rigid-body model and the compliance model to evaluate the handling performance of the EV in impulse steering tests conducted at vehicle speeds of 40, 60 and 80 km h−1, respectively. In general, the results show that the choice of a rigid-body model or a compliance model has a significant effect on the forces computed at some of the hardpoints in the front and rear suspension systems. Furthermore, the rigid-body model predicts a better vehicle body stability following high-speed turns than the compliance model.
Highlights
The chassis is the backbone of any vehicle and serves as the main mounting point for all of the major components, including the engine, axles, wheels, suspension units, electrical harness, body, and so on
It is important to understand how forces act on the suspension to make specific adjustments to the linkages and the joints under uneven load and verify the deformation of each member when the whole vehicle is running and their effect on the original suspension kinematic parameters
The modeling results obtained for sinusoidal depression loads and pulse steering operations showed that a significantly different system response was obtained when the dynamic effects of chassis flexibility were taken into account
Summary
The chassis is the backbone of any vehicle and serves as the main mounting point for all of the major components, including the engine, axles, wheels, suspension units, electrical harness, body, and so on. The modeling results obtained for sinusoidal depression loads and pulse steering operations showed that a significantly different system response was obtained when the dynamic effects of chassis flexibility were taken into account. Quarter-vehicle simulations are performed to compare the effects of the rigid-body and compliance assumptions, respectively, on the forces produced at the hardpoints of the two suspension systems under pothole impact loads. Quarter-vehicle simulations are conducted to evaluate the vehicle handling performance in impulse steering tests conducted using the rigid-body model and compliance model, respectively. The simulation results confirm that the choice of suspension model (i.e., compliance or rigid-body) has a significant effect on the simulation outcomes for the suspension kinematics and vehicle handling performance
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