Design Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization of McPherson Suspension Systems

Design sensitivity analysis and optimization of vehicle suspension systems is presented. The design process of suspension systems consists of pre-processing design stage, analysis stage and post-processing stage. For kinematic modeling of suspension systems, McPherson strut suspension system is adopted, where suspensions are assumed as combinations of rigid bodies and ideal frictionless joints. Constraint equations for displacement, velocity and acceleration using displacement matrix method and instantaneous screw axis theorem, sensitivities of static design factor and optimum design are obtained. The validity and usefulness of the method employed are demonstrated to yield the effective suspension layout at early design stage.