Relative kinematic and handling performance analyses of independent axle suspensions for a heavy-duty mining truck

Abstract

A variety of axle suspension linkage configurations with hydro-pneumatic struts are increasingly being used in mining trucks to achieve improved ride comfort and higher operating speeds. In this study, relative kinematic properties of four different independent front axle suspensions are investigated together with their effects on the handling dynamics of a mining truck. These included a composite linkage (CL), a candle (CA), a trailing arm (TA) and a double wishbone (DW) suspension. The kinematic responses are integrated to a handling model of a mining truck to study their relative handling characteristics. The results suggest that the CL and DW suspensions yield relatively higher under-/over-steer gradients and lower peak directional responses respectively during the steady-turn and lane-change manoeuvres compared with the CA and TA suspensions. The CL suspension may be considered desirable for future designs of high-performance trucks owing to its superior anti-roll performance under both steady and transient steering inputs.