Abstract
KEYWORDS – Strain Energy, Suspension Stiffness, Body Stiffness, Inertial Relief , Stiffness Optimization
ABSTRACT –
The body and suspension lateral stiffness of vehicle is an important factor to obtain vehicle’s dynamic performance, because it prevents body and suspension deformation under lateral load. Therefore, the stiffness contribution analysis of each part is certainly necessary to find the optimal stiffness distribution. In this paper, we integrated the body and front/ rear suspension F.E models and performed the deformation analysis in real dynamic force condition using inertia relief method. And then, we analyzed quantitatively deformation contribution of the body and suspension parts using strain energy method based on theory of elasticity, and we suggested a stiffness optimization method to improve lateral stiffness of vehicle by minimizing strain energy of suspension components which have insufficient stiffness. The stiffness optimization process suggested in this paper can be extended to all type of the front and rear suspensions, and it supports effective process of the complicated vehicle stiffness development. Also, we expect that suspension structural performance is improved and the vehicle stiffness development time is reduced with this proposed method.