Optimization of suspension system and sensitivity analysis for improvement of stability in a midsize heavy vehicle

Abstract

This paper presents a method for systematic investigations on static and dynamic roll behavior and improvement to the stability dynamics based on increasing roll stiffness of the suspension. One of the major differences of this study from previous work is that it includes parametric sensitivity analysis in order to increase the safety margin from the roll angle threshold using the static and dynamic tests and it compares the results within themselves. As the physical tilt table test cannot be continued until vehicle rollover actually occurs, this test was performed in a simulation with verified vehicle model using Adams/Car. Three different front anti-roll bars and two different front leaf springs were used during the tests in order to perform parametric sensitivity analysis and examine the effect of components on the stability performance. In summary, within the scope of this work, unlike the previous studies, experiments involving physical tests (i.e. tilt table, fishhook and cornering) and numerical calculations are included. In addition, verification of the virtual model, parametric sensitivity analysis and the comparison of the virtual test and the physical test is performed. Because of the vigorous verification, sensitivity analysis and validation process, the results can be more reliable compared to previous studies.