Optimization of suspension system of off-road vehicle for vehicle performance improvement

Abstract

Vehicle suspension design includes a number of compromises to provide good leveling of stability and ride comfort. Optimization of off-road vehicle suspension system is one of the most effective methods, which could considerably enhance the vehicle stability and controllability. In this work, a comprehensive optimization of an off-read vehicle suspension system model was carried out using software ADAMS. The geometric parameters of suspension system were optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) in a way that ride comfort, handling and stability of vehicle were improved. The results of optimized suspension system and variations of geometric parameters due to road roughness and different steering angles were presented in ADAMS and the results of optimized and conventional suspension systems during various driving maneuvers were compared. The simulation results indicate that the camber angle variations decrease by the optimized suspension system, resulting in improved handling and ride comfort characteristics.

Keywords

optimized suspension system / stability / ride comfort / vehicle / double wishbone suspension system model

References

[1] CronjeP H, ElsS. Improving off-road vehicle handling using an active anti-roll bar [J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 2010, 47: 179-189

[2] JansenS, OostenJ. Development and evaluation of vehicle simulation models for a 4ws application [J]. Vehicle System Dynamics, 1995, 24(4/5): 343-363

[3] ThoressonM J. Mathematical optimization of the suspension system of an off-road vehicle for ride comfort and handling [D]. Faculty of Engineering, University of Pretoria, 2003

[4] TangC Y, GuoL X. Research on suspension system based on genetic algorithm and neural network control [C]. IEEE In telligent Computation Technology and Automation, 2009Changsha, HunanIEEE Press468-471

[5] BaX, YuJ, ChangC, LiY, LiJ. Motion characteristics simulation and optimization of suspension system in patrolling forest fire vehicle [C]. Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, VPPC’09, 2009Michigan, USAIEEE134-137

[6] KangD O, HeoS J, KimM S. Robust design optimization of suspension system by using target cascading method [J]. International Journal of Automotive Technology, 2011, 13(1): 109-122

[7] NingX, ZhaoC, ShenJ. Dynamic analysis of car suspension using ADAMS/car for development of a software interface for optimization [J]. Procedia Engineering, 2011, 16: 333-341

[8] UysP E, ElsP S, ThoressonM. Suspension settings for optimal ride comfort of off-road vehicles travelling on roads with different roughness and speeds [J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 2007, 44: 163-175

[9] ElsP S, TheronN J, UysP E, ThoressonM J. The ride comfort vs. handling compromise for off-road vehicles [J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 2007, 44: 303-317

[10] PangH, LiH Y, FangZ, WangJ F. Stiffness matching and ride comfort optimization of heavy vehicles suspension based on ADAMS [J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2011, 44–47: 1734-1738

[11] ChenS, WangD, ZanJ. Vehicle ride comfort analysis and optimization using design of experiment [C]. IEEE, Intelligent Human-Machine Systems and Cybernetics (IHMSC), 2010Nanjing, ChinaIEEE Press14-18

[12] MashadiB, MajidiM, PourabdollahH. Optimal vehicle dynamics controller design using a four-degrees-of-freedom model [J]. Journal of Automobile Engineering, 2010, 224(5): 645-659

[13] MashadiB, Mahmoodi-KaleibarM. Control of vehicle path by simulation of driver model [C]. National Conference of Mechanical Engineering, Birjand, Iran, 2011455-499

[14] AfkarA, Mahmoodi-KaleibarM, PaykaniA. Geometry optimization of double wishbone suspension system via genetic algorithm for handling improvement [J]. Journal of Vibroengineering, 2012, 14(2): 827-837

[15] DelaneyMDouble Wishbone vs. MacPherson Strut II: Compared [EB/OL], 2002

[16] BalikaK P. Kineto-dynamic analyses of vehicle suspension for optimal synthesis [D]. Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 2010

[17] Toe-out and Handling, steering geometry & front end alignment”. auto-ware.com. [EB/OL]. [2002-02-12]. http://www.auto-ware.com/setup/toe_hand.htm.

[18] WangC FDesign and synthesis of active and passive vehicle suspensions [D], 2001

[19] ChenY C, HuangH H, HsiehC H, LinJ B. Determination of kingpin axis from wheel points using dual quaternion analysis [C]. Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering,Vol. III WCE London, U. K., 2011977-988

[20] DixonJ CSuspension geometry and computation [M], 2009

[21] ReimpellJ, StollH, BetzlerJ WThe automotive chassis engineering principles [M], 2001ReedElsevier and Professional Publishing Ltd