Improved prediction of ride comfort characteristics by considering suspension friction in the automotive development process

Ride comfort of passenger vehicles is affected by several subsystems and their properties. For reaching specific objective ride comfort targets the suspension is able to influence the response of the body in a wide range. However, the characteristics of the subsystem have not been fully investigated. In the following research the static and dynamic characterization of a suspension is conducted. For this purpose, especially friction properties are in the focus, not being established in conventional multi body models for simulation of ride comfort. A methodology for determining the dependencies of friction of multiple parameters is depicted and corresponding results are shown. Additionally the dynamic response under different conditions is analysed. The results are evaluated and procedures for considering and obtaining required properties in the development process are given. On the basis of this study the definition and parameterization of simulation models in development of vehicle properties can be improved, providing new potentials for reaching specific ride comfort targets.