Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 1

Introduction
The simple answer to torque steer:
“Revo” Suspension

• Dipl. – Ing. Michael Frantzen

• Dipl. – Ing. Jasper Bouma
• Dr. – Ing. Wolfgang David
• Dipl. – Ing. Marc Simon
• Dipl. – Ing. Lauri Ohra-aho

Ford Forschungszentrum Aachen

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics
Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 2

Index

• „Torque Steer“
• RevoKnuckle
• Results

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 3

Wheel Forces and Moments

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 4

Wheel Forces and Moments

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 5

Wheel Forces and Moments

50 –75 mm King pin axis

Focus or Mondeo
Knuckle

Wheel center

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 6

Disturbing Forces and Moments

• No „Torque Steer“ on symmetric conditions

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 7
Technology Description & Scope
„Torque steer“ on asymmetric conditions

Torque Steer Feedback

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 8

Tire Conicity

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Torque Steer Contributors

• Road Conditions • Suspension Geometry • Engine

(friction and surface) (kingpin offset, camber, (torque, alignment)
caster, tolerances)
• Vehicle State • Differential
(cornering,roll., acc.) • Tire Quality (friction, self locking effect,
(Conicity, wear, profile) Torsen differential)
• Weight Distribution
(loading) • Wheel Geometry • Drive Shafts
(size, uniformity, wheel offset) (alignment, length, symmetry)

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 10

Index

• „Torque Steer“
• RevoKnuckle
• Results

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 11

RevoKnuckle vs. McPherson

RevoKnuckle MacPherson Strut

King Pin Offset

Wheel Centre Line

King Pin Axis

Wheel Centre

New Bearings

Sleeve Joint
Balljoint
Tire Contact Patch

Scrub Radius

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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 Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 12

RevoKnuckle – RevoKnuckle Joint Concepts

Ball Joint

Roller Bearing

New FFA / ZF
Patent Application

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 13

Advantages concept
• Improved Vehicle Dynamics Performance
- Torque Steer
- Wheelfight
- Steering Nibble
- Brake Judder
• Reduced torquesteer sensitivity to changes in tire size
(low aspect ratio) and tire conicity
• Fits to McPherson package, no body changes
• Less expensive than Double Wishbone suspension
• Lighter than Double Wishbone suspension
• Smaller Kingpin offset vs. Double Wishbone suspension : 20-30 vs. 40 mm

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 14

Index

• „Torque Steer“
• RevoKnuckle
• Results

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 15

Kinematics Results

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
Suspension Projects - The RevoKnuckle 16

FEA Results

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

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Driving Results

Results from Driving Evaluation:

• Significant reduction of “torque steer effect”
• Improved vehicle dynamics performance
• No additional error state
• Promising Concept for front driven high
performance vehicles

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004
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End

Questions

Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle Dynamics

Copyright © Ford Motor Company 2004