Fundamentals of Vehicle Suspension Design

The design and development of vehicle suspensions significantly influences vehicle handling and ride comfort. Suspension system design excellence follows the basic laws of physics using design synthesis techniques, a methodical process for suspension geometry development. Suspension geometry is the foundation of vehicle performance from which high-confidence suspension components and tunings can be developed.

Suspension component design continues to move toward mass and cost efficient designs with high levels of stiffness being essential to achieving design requirements. Mass, cost and stiffness are expected to become increasingly important with higher fuel economy requirements, alternative energy sources and the move to autonomous vehicles. This course emphasizes the basic tenets of suspension design enabling strategically important product trends.