A novel suspension strut featuring constant resonance frequency
by Chih-Hung G. Li
International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS), Vol. 22, No. 4, 2015

Abstract: A novel suspension strut is developed for providing constant bouncing frequency for a wide range of vehicle loads. In general, the resonance frequency of a vehicle with a suspension of constant stiffness changes with the total load of the car. To keep the resonance frequency as a constant, non-linear spring stiffness is needed. The required spring characteristics are derived based on a simple mass-spring system, and they are realised by a series of elastomeric cones stacked for compression. Finite element analysis is used for calculating the force-displacement relationship of the cone. Prototypes are made, and the measured spring characteristics are found reasonably close to the requirements. Dynamic testing verifies that for sprung mass ranging from 20 kg to 100 kg, the frequency variation of the elastomeric strut is only 20%, compared to 110% of that of a conventional coil spring.

Online publication date: Fri, 27-Nov-2015

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com