Optimization Study of a Car Suspension–Steering Linkage

Abstract

The study presents the main steeps and some results of a design, analysis and optimization process of a complex articulated mechanism required for a car suspension and steering. The authors used a top-down approach, starting from the requirements of the assembly and the close connections between the vehicle suspension and steering. Then the computer model was successively refined and new components were added as the design solutions became clearer. More steps were done, starting with a simplified analysis aiming geometrical optimization, continuing with a multibody study of the mechanism, part and assembly manufacturability-oriented CAD-modeling, a finite element analysis of some important parts and finishing with corrections and tunings of the CAD models.