Enhancing vehicle wheel suspension test equipment through Taguchi method for optimization

Abstract

The study demonstrates a significant advancement in vehicle suspension testing by utilizing the Taguchi method for optimization. The suspension system determines a vehicle’s performance, directly affecting ride comfort, handling, and safety. The research presented in this study highlights a potentially effective method for enhancing suspension testing. The research systematically investigates the complex network of factors influencing suspension behavior using the Taguchi method, a robust optimization technique. The analysis includes examining road surface conditions, passenger weight variations, and tire pressure fluctuations. The objective is to design a suspension system that provides both comfort and stability without making any concessions, regardless of the obstacles encountered on the road. The car utilized for this research is an Altis sedan equipped with tires with a 205/55 R16 profile. The study’s findings indicate that factor A, which represents embankment height, significantly impacts 56 % of road irregularity management and the maintenance of a stable driving experience. The dynamic load factor (Factor D) contributes significantly to the vehicle’s overall stability and ride quality, accounting for 43 % in different scenarios. Based on the given framework, it can be observed that the variables B (tire pressure) and C (passenger weight) significantly influence suspension vibration, resulting in a reduction of below 0.1 %. While the research results presented here only cover a subset of automobiles, the methodology employed can be used to deal with similar problems in other vehicles.