An Eigenvector Approach to Roll Centre Analysis

As a part of any vehicle suspension design, the location of the roll centre should be determined. The location of the roll centre is a property of the suspension geometry that influences vehicle handling behaviour. Typically, the roll centre is located by application of a complex set of formulae that are derived for each particular type of suspension (short-long arm, strut, etc.). This paper presents an alternate method of roll centre analysis, based on a multibody dynamics approach. The method is applicable to any independent suspension that can be modeled using standard multibody constraints. The results show that the roll centres can be located through an eigenvector solution. Relatively little modification of the method is required to find pitch centre locations, and it simultaneously provides additional information regarding suspension kinematics. The process is demonstrated with an example.