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The main indicators for mobility of a multipurpose wheeled vehicle are the maximum and average technical velocity (it is defined as the distance traveled divided by the time elapsed), and they are mainly determined by power-to-weight ratio and the parameters of the suspension. As our analysis shows, with the increase of the power-toweight ratio of the vehicle and its weight, the growth rate of the velocity is reduced, and after reaching a certain value, the velocity remains almost constant. This is due to the fact that for operating conditions of the multi-purpose wheeled vehicle, movement on roads with different degrees of uneven distribution of the rolling resistance and adhesion, in both transverse and longitudinal directions, is typical.

Trucks are one of the most common modes of transport and they are operated in various road conditions. As a rule, all-wheel drive trucks are equipped with special systems and mechanisms to improve their off-road capability and overall efficiency. The usage of blocked mechanisms for power distribution is one of the most popular and effective ways to improve the off-road vehicle performance. However, the lock of differential may adversely affect the stability and control of vehicle because of the unobvious redistribution of reactions acting on wheels, which consequently leads to poor performance and safety properties. Problems of rational distribution of power in transmissions of all-wheel drive vehicles, as well as research in the field of improving directional stability and active safety systems are among the priorities in modern automotive industry.

The main indicators for mobility of a multipurpose wheeled vehicle are the maximum and average technical velocity, and they are mainly determined by power-to-weight ratio and the parameters of the suspension. As our analysis shows, with the increase of the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle and its weight, the growth rate of the velocity is reduced, and after reaching a certain value, the velocity remains almost constant. This is due to the fact that for operating conditions of the multi-purpose wheeled vehicle, movement on roads with different degrees of uneven distribution of the rolling resistance and adhesion, in both transverse and longitudinal directions, is typical. In this investigation we evaluate the effectiveness of the main methods of power distribution among drive wheels of the multi-purpose wheeled vehicles.

Currently, a group of scientists consisting of six doctors of technical sciences, professors of South Ural State University (Chelyabinsk, Russia) has completed a cycle of scientific research for creation of adaptive suspensions of vehicles. We have developed design solutions of the suspensions. These solutions allow us to adjust the performance of the suspensions directly during movement of a vehicle, depending on road conditions - either in automatic mode or in manual mode. We have developed, researched, designed, manufactured, and tested experimentally the following main components of the adaptive suspensions of vehicles: 1) blocked adaptive dampers and 2) elastic elements with nonlinear characteristic and with improved performance.

We have developed a fundamentally new design of adaptive suspension systems of vehicles. Their technical characteristics and functional abilities are far better than the existing designs of suspensions. We have developed the following main suspension components of vehicles: a lockable adaptive shock absorber with an ultra-wide range of control performance, implementing “lockout” mode by means of blocking adaptive shock absorber, and an elastic element with progressive non-linear characteristic and automatic optimization of localization of work areas. Our patents confirm the novelty and efficiency of our major design decisions. Advantages of our developments in the vehicle suspensions are the following.

In this paper we consider a new design of adaptive suspension systems of vehicles with better technical characteristics and functional abilities in comparison with existing designs. We have developed the following main suspension components of vehicles: a lockable adaptive shock absorber with a wide range of control performance, implementing "lockout" mode by means of blocking adaptive shock absorber, and an elastic element with progressive non-linear characteristic and automatic optimization of localization of work areas. Advantages of our developments in the vehicle suspensions are the following: 1) when the vehicle is in a wide range of speeds in a so-called "comfort zone", we have managed, by applying the non-linear elastic element, to reduce significantly the stiffness of the elastic suspension elements in compare with the regular structures - at least in two times. This means that comfort, smooth motion, high performance the vehicle when driving over bumps are improved in times.