Kinematics Simulation And Optimization Design Of McPherson Suspension Based On Multi-body System Dynamics

Suspension system is one of the most vital components of a vehicle. The kinematics characteristic of vehicle suspension is directly related to handling and stability, and use performance of the automobile. And the study of suspension kinematics is one of the most important subjects of the research of vehicle design.This paper, based on the theory of multi-body system dynamics, studies the front McPherson suspension of a mini passenger car. In order to solve the problem of serious unusual tire wear, the McPherson suspension is modeled, simulated, analyzed and optimized by multi-body system dynamics software ADAMS. The main works are as follows:Firstly, the development and the research methods of multi-body system dynamics, the process of modeling in the software ADAMS, and the basis theory of multi-body system kinematics in the software ADAMS, are introduced. Secondly, the geometry model of the McPherson suspension is built by the software CATIA; the simulation physical model is built in the software ADAMS. Thirdly, the impact of wheel alignment parameters on vehicle performance and their rational trend of vibration are discussed in detail. And in the case of parallel wheel travel, the kinematics simulation of the McPherson suspension is conducted. Then the results of the simulation are analyzed and find out that the wheel lateral travel is the main factor of tire wear. Lastly, taking the wheel alignment parameters as responses, and setting the construct point of the McPherson suspension as factors, the Design of Experiments (DOE) of the McPherson suspension is carried out. And the main effective factors are found out. Taking these main effective factors as design variables, the guiding mechanism of the McPherson suspension is optimized. And the location of construct point is improved.The compare of original result and optimized result shows that the kinematics characteristic of wheel alignment parameters, especially the wheel lateral travel, is improved. And this is beneficial to improve handling and stability and greatly reduce the wear of wheel.