Design optimization of multi-link suspension system for total vehicle handling and stability

Abstract

This paper discusses the design problem of vehicles using multi-link suspension system with the aim of totally optimizing vehicle handling and stability. Since this problem includes many evaluation items, and multi-link suspension system has interconnected behavior, the optimization is so complicated. An efficient and computable model is indispensable for compromising the total optimization. This paper investigates a hierarchical structure of objectives, introduces appropriate simulation models for respective items, and formulates a mathematical optimization model based on them. Further, we apply a genetic algorithm based optimization method to this problem. The genetic algorithm is based on Simple GA and introduces several extensions such as fitness function for constrained multi-objective optimization problems, similarity-based selection, direct crossover within side constraints, etc. The result of optimization calculation shows the validity of the optimization model and the optimization algorithm as mathematical computation based design methods.