Design and development of an adjustable suspension system

Abstract

—This project focuses on the design, development and evaluation of an adjustable vehicle suspension system.
This system is aimed to improve vehicle performance on all terrain conditions from rough to flat surfaces. In this
system we are using rack and pinion mechanism and electronic mechanism (sensor, receiver, and microcontroller).
The modifications allow the upper links of the suspension system to change vertical position on-the-fly, to meet
operator preference. The position change alters suspension geometry and therefore the performance characteristics of
the vehicle; specifically the anti-squat which impacts vehicle sag and therefore traction. Thus, traction is directly
controlled through adjustments to the suspension system. Future applications of this design are expected to improve
the performance characteristics of vehicles of all sizes, ranging from mobile robots to automobiles. In addition to
scalability, the advantage of our design is the on-the-fly adaptability, which enables adjustments in suspension
performance for the terrain or obstacle being traversed through rack and pinion mechanism.