KINETOSTATIC ANALYSIS OF A BEAM-AXLE SUSPENSION WITH PANHARD ROD RESTRAINING LINKAGE

Kinetostatic response characteristics of a beam-axle suspension compri sing a transversal Panhard rod constraint are evaluated as a function of the suspension geometry, vertical load and lateral force arising fr om a steady turning manoeuvre. A roll plane model of a road vehicle is developed incorporating the kinematic constraint posed by the transve rse linkage. The non-linear algebraic equations governing the roll pla ne kinematic motion are formulated and solved using the Newton iterati ve techniques. The kinetostatic response characteristics are evaluated in terms of the body roll, effective roll stiffness and variations in the coordinates of the roll centre for various geometric parameters. The coordinates of the suspension roll centre and sprung mass cg are d etermined from the algebraic equations developed by vector loop method . The results of the study show that the suspension spring rate and th e location and orientation of the Panhard rod influence the kinetostat ic roll properties of the suspension in a significant manner, when the vehicle is subject to vertical and lateral forces.