Performance Evaluation of Spring for the Vehicle Suspension System Using the Nonlinear Finite Element Method

Abstract

Air spring is used for the suspension system and it affects the vehicle stability and riding comfort by improving the impact-relief, braking, and cornering performance. Air Spring is comprised of the upper plate, lower plate, and rubber sleeve. Rubber sleeve is the composite material, which is made up of combination of rubber and Nylon, and the characteristics are changed according to the shape of rubber-sleeve, the angle of reinforcement cord. In this study, the distribution of internal stresses and the deformation of rubber composite material are analyzed through the nonlinear finite element method. The result showed that the internal maximum stresses and deformations about the changes of cord angle caused the more the Young's modulus decrease, the more maximum stress reduced.