Title: Kinematic analysis and structural design of suspension wishbone for a solar electric vehicle

Authors: Kelly Ann Dennis Furtado; Shubham Ganju; Fanil Harshad Birawat; Nagesh Shenoy; Subash Acharya

Addresses: Department of Mechatronics, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India

Abstract: This paper focuses on the kinematic simulation, design and analysis of a double wishbone suspension system that will be used in an adventure class vehicle designed and manufactured according to Electric Solar Vehicle Championship specifications. Initially, the suspension hardpoints were determined using LOTUS^TM Shark suspension analysis software based on kinematic simulations to ensure better vehicle handling. The resulting hardpoints were used to create the geometric model of the wishbone. The operating loads on the wishbone were estimated and static structural analysis was carried out using ANSYSTM Workbench software to propose a suitable light weight wishbone design and material for the same. In addition, to compute the life of the wishbone, fatigue analysis was performed. After interference checks, the wishbones were fabricated and put together with other suspension assembly parts. The vehicle was driven on the campus road under various road conditions in order to ensure whether the wishbones work as intended.

Keywords: single seater car; double wishbone suspension; wheel alignment angles; kinematic analysis; suspension hardpoints; static structural analysis; material selection; fatigue analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2023.135459

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2023 Vol.17 No.3/4, pp.288 - 310

Received: 13 Mar 2023
Accepted: 14 Jun 2023
Published online: 13 Dec 2023 *

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