Rear Wheels Multi-Link Suspension Synthesis with the Application of a “Virtual Mechanism”

A method of synthesis of rear wheels multi-link suspension of one degree of freedom has been proposed. Using virtual mechanism the characteristics of wheel orientation and wheel centre position were defined. Following the motion simulation tests and having found the vehicle with the selected rear suspension characteristics to meet the required criteria a synthesis of five-link suspension was performed. The trajectories of the centres of joints coupling were determined, objective functions formulated and the parameters of suspension mechanism were initially determined. Next tapering functions in respect of camber and toe angles characteristics were adopted, and the co-ordinates of centres of the joint couplings determined again. A set of design parameters for five-link suspension mechanism was created.