Experimental Analysis of Multi-Link Rigid Axle Suspension Camber Variation with Vehicle Load

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Increased popularity on SUV category in the market has led to high focus on performance attributes of SUVs. Considering high weight & CoG achieving target handling performance is always a challenge. Static Wheel Alignment parameters, especially Camber have shown significant contribution in Handling attributes of vehicle. This paper presents an experimental study on change in wheel camber under the influence of different vehicle loading conditions. In SUVs, generally wheel is subjected to large deflection from its high static loads which makes it quite difficult to maintain an ideal camber angle. Hence, it is important to analyze the camber angle variations under actual loading conditions.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">An in-house fixture is developed to emulate the actual vehicle loading conditions at rear wheel end. The multi-link rigid axle suspension with watt’s link assembly is mounted on the chassis-frame which is rigidly fixed to ground, and loads are achieved through hydraulic actuators at Wheels. Axle deflections are captured through CMM measurements for Calculation of Camber Angle Variation. The experimental results validate the actual phenomenon of camber change with respect to different loading. The current analysis helps in understanding the effect of rear axle load on vehicle level camber measurement.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">This unique setup allows us to identify structural deflections in suspension components contributing to camber variation & corresponding axle design specification off-set required to achieve Target Camber Specifications in laden vehicle condition.</div></div>