An estimation model of suspension loads in explicit multibody simulation

Abstract

Explicit simulation is an extensively tool used by automotive designer both for car-performance analysis in standard operating condition and both in drive-simulator, whom exploits the computational ability of this codes to operate in real-time. The computational capability of these simulation tools however implies a reduced set of information available in simulation results. Regards automotive sector, with a particular focus on suspension system, the confined number of information in structural terms (states of solicitation on components and constraint) can be a strong limitation in their massive use. In this context, the objective of this activity is to propose a calculation method, as simple as accurate, that foresees to characterize the suspension by an implicit multibody model, and then using the information already available in explicit multibody model (wheel motion and external forces at the contact patch) allows estimating whichever force in all points of the suspension. The results obtained with the proposed method were compared with those outcoming from ADAMS/Car supplying in all cases, good results.