Title: Design and tuning of chassis characteristics to achieve desirable vehicle transient handling performance

Authors: Xuting Wu; Max Farhad; Jason M. Wong

Addresses: Mail Code: 483-344-275, Milford Proving Ground Bldg 104, 3300 General Motors Rd., Milford, MI 48380, USA ' Mail Code: 480-210-105, 30001 Van Dyke, Bldgs 2-10, P.O. Box 9020, Warren, MI 48090-9020, USA ' Mail Code: 480-210-105, 30001 Van Dyke, Bldgs 2-10, P.O. Box 9020, Warren, MI 48090-9020, USA

Abstract: Vehicles that perform well in subjective evaluations by experts or delight customers in the marketplace exhibit the desired transient handling behaviour. It is necessary to understand how to evaluate, design and tune chassis sub-systems to achieve the desired transient handling behaviour. In this study, the key mechanisms associated with transient handling performance are presented. The appropriate handling manoeuvres and proper response channels through which vehicle transient behaviour can be evaluated are determined. Based on a comprehensive study using multi-body dynamics models, the influential design factors and tuning knobs to create the desired performance are examined and presented.

Keywords: transient handling performance; TLLTD; damping distribution; damper asymmetry; suspension kinematics; suspension compliance; tyre lateral compliance; tyre relaxation length; yaw dynamic index; vehicle suspension; vehicle design; tuning; chassis sub-systems; vehicle handling; multi-body dynamics; dynamic modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2013.057782

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2013 Vol.1 No.1, pp.5 - 27

Received: 11 May 2011
Accepted: 14 Mar 2012
Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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