Kinematic Simulation Modeling of Over-Constrained Suspensions

With over-constrained suspensions (solid axle rear suspensions with four trailing arms and a track bar), the compliance in the bushings needs to be taken into account in order for the suspension to articulate. Most CAD (Computer Aided Design) software packages offer only kinematic joints for simulating mechanisms. These joints do not model the bushing compliance that is required in over-constrained mechanisms. In addition, during the early phases of design work, detailed bushing information is not known or available. This paper provides a procedure and automated methodology that can be used early in the design process to simulate the movement of over-constrained suspensions using simple kinematic joints.