Development Of A Vehicle Suspension System Model Having A Variable Element

With the present day requirement to verify the performance of complex systems and to facilitate their development, modelling those systems will pay an increasing role in the future. To this end a full ride and handling model of a vehicle was developed. The model includes front and rear suspension with flexible anti-roll bars, steering, engine and its mounting system and the suspension damper control system.

The major significance of this model was the addition to the simulation of the microprocessor control of a variable element within the system which was a new step in this type of modelling technology. Thus the effect of control strategy changes and of time delays caused by signal conditioning, software loop times and actuator response could be assessed.

The main conclusion of this study was to confirm that a model could be built which would accurately predict the response of a real vehicle which included a complex control system and that such a model could then be used to assess the effect of design changes at the design stage.