LOTUS SUSPENSION SOFTWARE + PDFs + VEHICLE DYNAMIC BOOKS + VIDEOS

What is Lotus Suspension Analysis? LSA is a design and analysis tool that can be used for both the initial layout of a vehicle suspensions hardpoints and also the design and orientation of suspension bushes for the tuning of the complaint behavior. Models are created and modified through a 3d-viewing environment. This allows hardpoints and bushes to be ‘dragged’ on-screen and graphical/numerical results updated in ‘real-time’. A template-based approach to the modeling allows users to create their own suspension models, supplementing the ‘standard’ suspension templates provided.

Normal Uses of Lotus Suspension Analysis: LSA is used by both designers and analysts alike for the layout of the suspension hardpoint positions, in order that the required kinematic behavior is achieved. Any number of results can be displayed graphically, (e.g. Camber angle, Toe angle), against bump motion, roll motion, or steering motion. These results are updated in ‘real-time’ as the suspension hardpoints are moved. The inclusion of compliant bushes to the kinematic model allows the tuning of bush properties to be carried out, to achieve required compliant response for items such as lateral force steer.

Overall Concepts: LSA has two main display and analysis modes, 2D and 3D, and it is possible to import a 2D model into 3D. Suspensions can be articulated in bump/rebound, roll, steering, and combined bump and steering (3D only) modes. LSA uses templates to identify specific 3D suspension types. These templates define the number of parts, the number of points, and the connectivity of the parts. A large number of ‘standard’ templates are included with the installation, whilst users can create their own or modify existing ones to model kinematic suspension types not catered for. 3D models can be built as a corner, axle, or full vehicle suspension model. LSA can be used just in Kinematic mode, (i.e. rigid bodies with ball joints), or in a compliant mode where the deflection due to bushes is added to the kinematic results on an incremental basis, (note that the compliant module is licensed additionally to the kinematic module). The compliant mode includes modal analysis and forced damped capability.