Application of Virtual Reality in Improvement and Optimization of Bump Steering Response of McPherson Suspension Mechanism

Abstract

In the present work the bump-steering characteristics of front suspension system is optimized using the kinematic modelling in the three-dimensional virtual space. The virtual space is prepared by the engineering software namely Visual Nastran (VN). The bump-steering is defined as uncontrollable changes in the steering angle of steered wheels due to the bumping. This uncontrollable rotational motion of the wheels not only affects the dynamic stability of the vehicle but also it can be a source of tire wearing and shimmy. Although due to the three-dimensional nature of the suspension mechanism it cannot be completely suppressed. In this paper, the special career to simulate of the three-dimensional linkage of McPherson-strut mechanism for bumping maneuver in software medium is briefly explained. Then a 3D kinematic analysis utilizing vectorial mathematics is developed so after determination of kinematic behavior of mechanism in bumping situation it would be able to check the reliability of built suspension mechanism in VN space for performing the optimization process. Using the prepared model a study for minimizing the steering errors including deviation of camber, caster and steering angles due to the bumping of the front wheel versus the dimensional properties of the mechanism is accomplished. To achieve the best steering performances, the optimum length and angle of the mechanism’s members are obtained. It is shown that for synthesis, design, improvement and optimization of such three-dimensional linkages, the virtual reality can be applied as a fast and reliable tool.
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