On the Efficacy of Non-Holonomic Canonical Momentum Analysis of Constrained Multi-Body Mechanical Systems – Application in Ground Vehicle Double Wishbone Suspension Dynamics

Abstract

In this research, we aim to ascertain the practicability of generalized momentum canonical equations for non-holonomic rigid body systems by applying it to the modeling and simulation of a Double Wishbone suspension system dynamics. The model of the Double Wishbone suspension system of a passenger car’s front drive is assumed to be planar, with four degrees of freedom. Equations of motion derived from the model are solved using Wolfram Mathematica’s NDsolve Algorithm while dynamic simulations are made from modeling a real-life scenario and verification of the model. Simulated real life scenario had the model excited in one of the four DOFs — the roll rate of the model. Therefore simulation results, graphical plots of the total energy, constraint loop and generalized parameters of the DWB suspension system, predicted the response of vehicle dynamics in this event for a period. The method provides accurate results and we can infer that the set of equations of motion formulated from the projective momentum method can accurately simulate the inherent nonlinear vehicle suspension dynamics behavior. Therefore, the generalized momentum canonical equation for constrained systems has the capability to be used for vehicle dynamics analysis and prediction that are necessary for understanding the complexities involved in ground vehicle ride and handling.