Experimental & Finite Element Analysis of Left Side Lower Wishbone Arm of Independent Suspension System

Abstract

The Wishbone control arm is a type of independent suspension used in motor vehicles. The general function of control arms is to keep the wheels of a motor vehicle from uncontrollably swerving when the road conditions are not smooth. The control arm suspension normally consists of upper and lower arms. The upper and lower control arms have different structures based on the model and purpose of the vehicle. By many accounts, the lower control arm is the better shock absorber than the upper arm because of its position and load bearing capacities. It has an A shape on the bottom known as wishbone shape which carries most of the load from the shock received. The lower control arm takes most of the impact that the road has on the wheels of the motor vehicle. It either stores that impact or sends it to the coils of the suspension depending on its shape. During the actual working condition, the maximum load is transferred from upper wishbone arm to the lower arm which creates possibility of failure in the arm. Similarly, impact loading produces the bending which is not desirable. Hence it is essential to focus on the stress strain analysis study of lower wishbone arm to improve and modify the existing design. The present study will contribute in this problem by using finite element analysis approach.