Optimization of the characteristic angles of front and rear McPherson suspension on a circular track using multibody numerical simulation

The research reported in this paper aims to simulate the road holding of a virtual vehicle using multibody simulation to estimate the contact forces between tire and ground and the roll motion when cornering. Furthermore, the effect of the characteristic angles on the variation of the forces of the tire in contact with the ground is studied to determine optimal values for these angles. Emphasis is placed on an average-class vehicle, of which both the external dimensions and mass are chosen appropriately, with a McPherson suspension mounted on both the front and rear. The characteristic values of the camber and toe-in angles, in both the front and the rear, are optimized for motion in the curve under constant traction. The results of numerical simulation are compared with results from the theory of stability in the curve (given the vertical configuration of the vehicle).