Analysis And Optimization Of Multi-link Suspension Based On Rigid-flex Theory

Multi-link suspension is currently most advanced independent suspension. The arrangement of multi-link provides designer high design freedom. The greatest degree of vehicle handling performance and good ride performance can be accessed by skillfully designing the position of link and the stiffness of rubber bushing of multi-link suspension. Now, the multi-link suspension has been applied in the intermediate car more and more widely, and the kinematic and compliance characteristics are the key of handling performance, so it is significant to study the kinematic and compliance characteristics of multi-link suspension.As the development of vehicle design toward lightweight, the flexible deformation of suspension components impact on the kinematics and compliance of suspension should not be ignored. If suspension components were treated as rigid body, the accuracy requirements will not be received. It is necessary to study the flexible deformation of components impact on suspension K&C characteristics.Firstly, based on the theory of Flexible multi-body system dynamics and the three-dimensional model and related parameters provided by enterprises, the four-link and double-link rigid-flexible coupling suspension model has been built with the ADAMS/Car software in this paper. The kinematics and compliance simulation of suspension has been carried on. In order to analysis the effects of deformation of suspension components on the performance of suspension, the simulation results of rigid-flexible model has been compared to the rigid simulation results.Secondly, the comparison of the simulation results of four-link rigid-flexible and double-link rigid-flexible has been carried on. The analysis of suspension K&C characteristics on vehicle performance has been carried on. The advantages and shortcomings of four-link suspension has been summarized.Lastly, the design of experiments of four-link suspension has been conducted based on the ADAMS/Insight software, the major factors which have significant effects on the suspension performance has been found out. The optimization of four-link suspension components has been conducted based on the design of experiments. Comparative analysis of optimized four-link suspension and four-link suspension has been carried. With the small change of structure, the performance of optimized four-link suspension has been improved.