Lotus Engineering Suspension Analysis (LSA), the commercial version of software from Lotus Engineering in the U.K. (www.lesoft.co.uk), quickly creates 2D and 3D kinematic models of standard suspensions using templates. The software includes libraries of common suspensions, such as double wishbones, Macpherson struts, trailing arms, semitrailing arms, pull-and-push rod-damper actuation, and 'A' and 'H' frames. Users can also create and distribute their own templates. Selecting a particular template brings up a suspension in 3D wire frame. If a particular motorsport regulation specifies that certain points should be within a certain envelope, users can define that envelope in the automotive coordinate system. When modifying the suspension, the software automatically prevents any violation of the regulations. Users can also specify the option 'retain part lengths' so that, when modified, the suspension is rebuilt with the same geometry for the particular part. The suspension's behaviour can be examined by means of computer animation which shows items such as the roll center and migration of the center of gravity as the vehicle goes through a roll sequence. Changes can be made while the suspension is being animated. Outputs include all significant kinematic-suspension parameters such as camber and castor angles, toe, kingpin angle, spring and damper ratios, center of gravity and roll-center position, and brake steer. The software shows either graphs or numbers for specified bumps, rebounds, rolls, and steering articulations. External forces can be applied to suspensions along with suspension-spring loads, antiroll-bar forces, and the influence of steering-rack coupling and compliance. Calculations instantaneously update graphical displays after each design change so users instantly see the significance of their changes. Results are presented as a series of curves showing how suspension geometry changes with variations in a particular element. There can be as many curves open as necessary to examine the consequences of particular modifications. Curves are for parameters such as bump-steer characteristics, camber, toe, castor angle, roll-center heights, and tire vertical forces. The software also produces graphs and numerical listings which can be fed into other software. An optional module calculates compliant displacements and bushing forces by adding stiffness properties to compliant bushings. Compliant deformation can be animated either throughout the suspension travel or as a scaled deformed geometry sequence at a particular suspension position. Designers can also plot bushing distortion beneath the animation to examine whether a particular bushing axis would shorten its life. In addition, external forces can be defined to see how compliance affects the suspension geometry. Users see graphical feedback on how the system deforms together with numerical updates to the analysis. Any number of forces can be applied to any parts and the system recalculates when any are moved. An additional handling module simulates wheel bumps, road undulations, steering motions, step changes, and acceleration and braking maneuvers in a virtual compliance rig with a full vehicle suspension modeled. The module uses the MSC.Adams solver and imports data from the Lotus Engineering Suspension Kinematics and Compliance Measurement System (SKCMS) or other kinematics module. LSA works on an Intel P4 (or equivalent) PC with 512-Mbytes RAM and a reasonable graphics card. All solvers for kinematics and compliance modules are contained in the code. The licence price starts from about 637 USD/month (350 GBP/month) up to a perpetual licence price of about 14,560 USD(8,000 GBP).
Auto suspension design made easy
Rechnerunterstützter Entwurf von Radaufhängungen
Machine Design ; 77 , 16 ; 91-95
2005
3 Seiten, 4 Bilder
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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