• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.176-183
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• 2001

It is difficult to find out the kinematic characteristics of a vehicle suspension without the usage of CAE software. The application of CAE software into suspension kinematics and dynamics yields the more precise knowledge on the chassis design. In this study, the influence of the suspension geometry on the handling performances of a large-sized bus is investigated using the DADS software. The front and rear suspension of a large-sized bus are a rigid axle suspension with the four control links. The elastokinematic analysis is performed to evaluate the roll characteristics of the front and rear suspension. The elastokinematic responses are evaluated in terms of the roll center height and roll steer for various geometric parameters. The roll center height is mainly dependent on the vertical displacement of a panhard rod and the vertical displacements of lower control links affect the roll steer of a rear suspension. The parameter study with the change of rear suspension geometry is conducted to investigate the vehicle handling performances. This parameter study shows that the vertical displacement and orientation of a panhard rod influence the handling performances of a large-sized bus significantly.