Abstract
Suspension structure, its elastic elements made of elastomers, is described in the paper. This allows to considerably decrease a vehicle’s unsprung weight improving its ride quality. The research is aimed at determining elastomer elastic element’s damping impact on a vehicle’s smooth ride quality. The impact estimate was carried out by comparing simulation modelling results of GAZelle NEXT vehicle’s front suspension and an equivalent suspension with an elastomer elastic element. Dual-mass single-axle suspension model was chosen as a calculation model. The modelling was performed in MATLAB/Simulink software package. Standard suspension key parameters, that is spring rate and shock absorber resistance characteristic, were experimentally obtained for each vehicle. Elastomer element elastic response was obtained at static necking and averaged with respect to loading and unloading characteristics. Damping capacity was estimated basing on the damped oscillations process realized on a special pendulum impact testing machine. “Relative” elastomer damping coefficient was calculated. All the measured parameters were reduced “awheel” by grapho-analytical methods. Vibration acceleration root-meant-square values (RMS) on the car frame and normal awheel response of a vehicle’s motion under various speed conditions over smooth cobbled road served as assessment criteria. Roadbed microprofile mathematic model was realized basing on superposition harmonic function method with various oscillations frequency and amplitude. Analytical findings reveal that a standard suspension with a cylindrical spiral spring and a hydraulic shock absorber outperforms the elastomer elastic element structure in all the given motion modes with respect to the ride quality criteria. The research findings bring about the conclusion that elastomers lack visco-elastic characteristics necessary to provide better ride quality compared to the standard suspension structure.
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