Effects of Suspension Design on the Attitudes of a Car during Braking and Acceleration

Two degrees of freedom models of a car are employed to demonstrate the effects of the suspension derivative ∂x/∂z on the pitch and bounce attitudes during braking or accelerating. The work equation is employed to show that brake effort distribution between the axles has a significant effect on the attitudes when anti-dive suspension characteristics are utilized. The steady-state positions in both pitch and bounce are developed for linear systems of typical suspensions that may be either standard or coupled systems. Non-linear systems are considered using simulation techniques. A description of some simulation circuits is contained in an appendix.