Sweet Area Determination by Performance Sensitivity for an Automotive Vehicle Suspension

Abstract

Using quarter car model, an analytic method for performance estimation of a vehicle suspension system is presented and as the variables of performance estimation, frequency response, RMS response and performance index are considered. From frequency response function, the characteristics of response to the whole frequency range is verified and from RMS response and performance index, sensitivity of ride and handling characteristics are examined. Using full car model, sweet area (stable ride area) are determined and performance sensitivity is estimated according to the change of suspension parameters. In order to estimate the output sensitivity, response curve is displayed using 3-dimensional plot. Design data are suggested for optimal design parameter estimation, which maximize the performance of the given suspension system.