Sensitivity analysis and optimisation of independent axle suspensions for a heavy-duty mining truck

Abstract

The kinematic tuning of suspension mechanisms could substantially alter kinematic properties of the suspensions, and therefore the vehicle performance. In this study, positioning of hard points of a composite linkage (CL) and a candle (CA) suspension is investigated using design of experiment (DOE) and response surface model (RSM) approaches together with the effects of optimal designs on handling dynamics of a mining truck. Each kinematic response is optimised using the RSM approach, and the number of optimal cases is reduced considering correlations among different measures. The results suggest that the CL suspension with greater toe-in variation revealed lower under-steer gradient and greater peak lateral acceleration, yaw rate and roll angle responses of the sprung mass, in spite of its superior performance in terms of variations in camber, kingpin inclination and lateral displacement of wheel centre. The proposed method could be employed to achieve improved kinematic properties of current suspension designs.