Axiomatic approach to the kinematic design of an automotive suspension system with the McPherson strut type
by Sangwoo Bae, Jang Moo Lee, Won Jun Choi, Jung Rak Yun, Tae Oh Tak
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 31, No. 1, 2003

Abstract: Automotive suspension is a collection of rigid bodies moving relatively to one another and plays important roles in handling ability, stability, and comfort. Since the suspension is a complex mechanical system of coupled design, the design process of the suspension system has been achieved by know-how, intuition, and the trial-and-error method until now. In particular, changes in specific design parameters are widely connected with the required functions of the suspension system. In order to make a decoupled or less coupled relationship between the functional requirements (FRs) and the design parameters (DPs) of the suspension system, the Independence Axiom of the Axiomatic Design (AD) was adapted to the kinematic design of the suspension system. The kinematic design of the suspension system is a process to determine the proper combination of kinematic joints such as links, arms, struts, and so forth, and various designs are possible. Among the possible kinematic designs, it was found in this study that the McPherson strut suspension system turns out to be a good one, which is an almost decoupled design by applying the AD approach, especially the Independence Axiom. In addition, a simple design method in determining the position of hard points is proposed by using the Independence Axiom and other theorems. Design change based on the design matrix is performed by replacing couple design parameters with new design parameters.

Online publication date: Fri, 15-Aug-2003

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