Topological optimization of a suspension concept considering the kinematics and compliance performance and the geometric non-linearity

Abstract

This paper proposes a structure design approach for a suspension concept based on topological optimization. In this approach, the kinematics and compliance requirements and the geometric non-linearity are introduced into the structural optimization in order to generate a new lightweight suspension structure and to simplify the iterative design steps between the mechanical requirements and the kinematics and compliance requirements. In the suspension concept, the electric motors are integrated into the longitudinal arms. This concept needs a new suspension linkage with a lightweight structure. For the cases with suspension compliance, linear implicit optimization is used in the design; for the cases with suspension kinematics, the equivalent static load method for implicit optimization with a geometric non-linearity is employed to seek the optimum. By this approach, a suspension structure is obtained. This structure has a better kinematics and compliance performance with a reduced mass than the reference suspension does.