Multi-Criteria Dynamic Optimization of a Front Wheels Suspension System

Abstract

This work deals with the dynamic optimization of the suspension system used for the front wheels of a race car. A multi-criteria optimization is approached, intending to minimize the main oscillations of the chassis (pitch, roll and yaw). The locations (in terms of global coordinates) of some joints in the suspension system are considered as design variables for the dynamic optimization. The dynamic model of the suspension system of the front wheels, corresponding to a half-car model, is developed in MBS (Multi-Body Systems) concept, while the relationships between the design objectives and variables are determined by statistical tools, based on design of experiments and regression models. The dynamic analysis is performed in the passing over bumps regime, the substantial improvements (by comparing the behavior of the initial and optimized suspension systems) demonstrating the usefulness of the adopted optimal design algorithm.