Analysis of a bus vertical dynamic performances – a comparison between linear and nonlinear suspension systems

Abstract

This paper mainly focuses on the numerical calculation to determine the vertical evaluation indexes with all three types of typical harmonic, transient and random road excitations. The effects of linear and nonlinear suspension characteristics on the vertical evaluation indexes are fully understood systematically. The ride comfort, suspension working space, and road holding are analyzed for both two cases of linear and nonlinear suspension systems. The improvement of the vertical stability and road holding in the case of nonlinear suspension subjected under three different excitations could be characterized most meaningfully. The obtained results help to systematically get full understanding of the investigated problem nature. It also should guide interested readers in suspension design to improve the stability, safety, and ride comfort of buses.