Suspension Geometry Design Documentation

NFR16 – 5/4/16
Harish Raja

Introduction:
This document will discuss the design decisions and rationale behind the
Suspension for NFR 16. The geometry is designed such that the tires are always
operation at their optimal point, and the car feels feels balanced while driving.

Goals:

 Decrease ride height

 Decrease wheel travel
 Accommodate 10 in rims
 Car feels balanced under cornering
 Improve Suspension Packaging
 Design for Aero

Design Overview:

Tire Selection:

System – Component 1 NFR16

 Camber:
Front Camber in Roll
1.5

0.5
Camber

0
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
-0.5

-1

-1.5
Roll (degrees)

System – Component 2 NFR16

 Rear Camber in Roll
1.5

0.5
Camber

0
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
-0.5

-1

-1.5
Roll (degrees)

Camber Heave Front

0.6

0.4

0.2
Camber (degrees)

0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
Heave (in)

System – Component 3 NFR16

 Camber Heave Rear
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
Camber (degrees)

0.2
0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
Heave (in)

Roll Center Heights:

Anti’s:

Steering:

System – Component 4 NFR16

 Bump Steer Front
0.25
0.2
0.15
Steer Angle (degrees)

0.1
0.05
0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
-0.05
-0.1
-0.15
-0.2
-0.25
Heave (in)

Rear Bump Steer

0.25
0.2
0.15
Steer Angle (degrees)

0.1
0.05
0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
-0.05
-0.1
-0.15
-0.2
-0.25
Heave (in)
Kingpin:
Caster:
Trail:
Motion Ratios:

System – Component 5 NFR16

 Front Motion Ratios
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
Motion Ratio

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Heave (in)

Motion Ratio Rear

1.6

1.4

1.2

1
Motion Ratio

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Heave (in)

Roll Stiffness:
Roll Distribution:
Springs/Wheel Rates:

Calculations & FEA:

 Type in all equations used in your hand calcs

System – Component 6 NFR16

  Copy in a spreadsheet of your calculations (Excel file saved in
Calculations folder)

 FEA: Describe loading you are simulating

 Document your setup for the simulation
 Fixtures, Loads, Mesh size
 Image of completed Simulations
 Results for Static, Buckling & Modal

Manufacturing Plan:

 N/A

Parts list:

 N/A

Pictures:

 Picture of Finished Part on Car (Required)

 Photograph of any necessary details or alterations (As Needed)
 Please include captions
 All of these photos and more should be in the pictures folder

Addendum & Comments for Next Year:

 Any alterations made to design during manufacturing, testing or

competition (Pictures of alteration must be included)
 Any difficulties encountered with your part in design or manufacture
 Any inconsistencies you may have found looking back on your
calculations
 Any interesting alternatives seen at comp (with pictures included in
espionage folder)
 Final Thoughts

System – Component 7 NFR16