Title: Influence of automotive damper asymmetry on the kinematic and dynamic responses, and optimal damper asymmetric parameters

Authors: Krishna Prasad Balike, Subhash Rakheja, Ion Stiharu

Addresses: CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisoneuve West, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada. ' CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisoneuve West, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada. ' CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisoneuve West, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada

Abstract: This paper concerns the coupled effects of damper asymmetry, suspension kinematics and tyre lateral compliance on the kineto-dynamic response characteristics of a road vehicle subjected to idealised bump and pothole excitations. A quarter-car kineto-dynamic model of a road vehicle employing a double wishbone type of suspension with a strut comprising a linear spring and a two-stage asymmetric damper is formulated for the analyses. The dynamic responses to idealised bump and pothole are evaluated over a wide speed range in terms of sprung mass acceleration, suspension deflection and tyre force variations. The results revealed conflicting damper design requirements under idealised bump and pothole inputs. Optimal asymmetric damping properties are identified to realise minimal sprung mass acceleration with constrained suspension deflection under bump, pothole, and combined bump and pothole types of excitations. The optimal designs corresponding to bump and pothole excitations were found contradictory, while the solutions to combined bump and pothole excitations could yield important design guidance.

Keywords: automotive suspension; kineto-dynamic modelling; damper asymmetry; suspension kinematics; tyre lateral compliance; vehicle ride analysis; dynamic modelling; vehicle design; automobile industry; bump excitations; pothole excitations; quarter-car models; sprung mass acceleration; suspension deflection; tyre force.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2010.036127

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2010 Vol.54 No.3, pp.191 - 216

Received: 04 Jan 2010
Accepted: 15 May 2010
Published online: 22 Oct 2010 *

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