Consideration of Suspension Mechanism with High Cornering Performance for a Formula Car 2008-01-0607

In the cornering performance of a formula car, turning is performed at a considerably high level. However, few studies have investigated the control of the camber angle. Therefore, a mechanism that swings to the negative camber side of the suspension in cornering was examined in the present study. A swinging suspension member structure was assumed when a lateral force acted on the tires, and the momentary rotation center of the swing suspension member was controlled so that the direction of the swing would be to the negative camber side. As a result, compliance of the negative camber was achieved. The layout of a preferable mechanism was first determined by geometrical analysis. The negative camber angle obtained with this mechanism changes according to the length of the link for the fixation of the swing suspension member, the installation position, and the angle. The specifications for achieving a proper compliance negative camber were then clarified. Next, the fastest running simulation of the circuit course was performed according to the full vehicle model, and the effect on the critical cornering performance of the compliance negative camber was clarified.