Cutting-edge tools to be always innovative

Suspension kinematics at the basis of vehicle stability and safety

Toe and camber angles are just some of the parameters used to describe the wheel alignment of a vehicle, i.e. how each wheel is positioned with respect to the ground when the vehicle is resting on the ground in running condition. The wheel alignment together with the suspension kinematics, which determines how each wheel moves during the normal use of the vehicle on ground unevenness, are essential for stability, safety and economy

A good tuning of the suspension, both at the design stage and at the end of the assembly line, facilitates the proper consumption of the tires, avoids the drift of the vehicle to right or left and, above all, helps to save fuel and improve safety and comfort while driving.

That said, it is therefore easy to understand the importance of the correct kinematics definition, as well as the following execution of the details in terms of the drawing prescriptions and their accurate assembly: the excellence of the result is based on creativity and discipline in every step, from the idea to the execution.

Dynamics simulation through software

How can all these aspects be taken into consideration at the design stage? The guidelines learned on the books and the technical know-how developed over the years by Streparava’s designers surely play a fundamental role. However, this may not always be enough, as today’s ever-changing automotive scenario, with electrification and autonomous driving at the centre, introduces us to new requirements, different from those considered so far.

For this reason, Streparava’s R&D department is equipped with the most advanced vehicle dynamics simulation software, such as the multibody MSC Adams/Car, considered state of the art in this field and used by major car manufacturers.

With these software, designers can build and test virtual prototypes of complete vehicles and their subsystems, simulating on the computer the same tests that are normally performed in a laboratory or on a test track. In this way it is possible to know the influence of Streparava suspensions on the driveability and on the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle on which they will be mounted, even before building the first prototype.

Predict vehicle behaviour

Thanks to vehicle dynamics simulations it’s possible to predict, with a high degree of accuracy, how the vehicle will behave while driving. Sophisticated methodologies of elasto-kinematic analysis of suspensions allow us to drive the vehicle behaviour, increasing the level of safety. Once the virtual model of the complete vehicle has been created, simulations of manoeuvres such as acceleration, braking, curves and lane changes can be performed. A specific example is the “steering pad”, a manoeuvre that consists in following a constant radius cornering with increasing speed up to the grip limit, essential to evaluate the understeer or oversteer character of the vehicle, index of a safe driving.

Cutting-edge tools to be always innovative

The use of advanced calculation and simulation tools such as Adams/Car has allowed Streparava’s R&D department to present itself to new automotive customers in an innovative and attractive way. The aim is to use these tools more and more and to consolidate the company’s know-how in order to be prepared to face any future challenge.