Vehicle Dynamics and Suspension Design
Research into the design of suspension for heavy vehicles by the CVDC
The current work in heavy vehicle suspension design is primarily undertaken under the umbrella of the 'Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium' (CVDC). This is a group ofmanufacturers from the heavy truck industry which has joined forces with engineers from the Transportation Research Group to develop safer, more productive and more 'road-friendly' heavy vehicles. The group includes companiesfrom various sectors of the industry concerned with vehicle dynamics and suspension design. These include: tractor units(Volvo Trucks); tyres (Goodyear); axles (Meritor); steel suspension components (Tinsley Bridge); road transport (Denby Transport); Brakes (Haldex); Air springs (Firestone); Steering systems (ArvinMeritor). By having just one membercompany from each sector, the members can meet and work together in a non-competing, co-operativeenvironment. The Consortium is still seeking further members.
The main focus of the Consortium's research is to develop improvedsuspensions which maximise truck safety and productivity, minimise road damage and improve driver ride comfort and vehiclebody vibration. To do this, the researchers are optimising conventional suspension components and areinvestigating advanced concept suspensions with computer-controlled 'active' and 'semi-active' elements. Thework involves a 'systems approach' using computer modelling, laboratory testing of prototype hardware andfield trials of instrumented vehicles.
- Modelling suspension elements
- Suspension design
- Semi-active damping
- Active and semi-active roll control
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Articulated tanker with Active Roll Control