This study includes an experimental evaluation of a prototype trailing-arm suspension for heavy trucks. The primary goal of this new suspension is to match or improve the kinematics and dynamic performance of an existing "Z-bar" suspension. Significant reductions in cost, weight, and number of parts are the main reasons for this redesign. A permanent facility is constructed to support the testing of different heavy truck suspensions. For actuation of the vehicle suspension, hydraulic actuators are used in the kinematics tests in a quasi-dynamic manner. For the dynamic tests, the vehicle is excited using two hydrodynamic actuators. A collection of forces, displacements, velocities, and accelerations are measured during the tests using transducers that were installed on the suspension and test vehicle. The test measurements are analyzed in both time and frequency domains and then the results of the two suspensions were compared to establish the dynamic merits of the prototype suspension. The kinematics tests include vertical stiffness, roll stiffness, and roll steer measurements for each suspension. The results from the kinematics tests show that the trailing-arm suspension exhibits kinematics traits that are quite similar to the "Z-bar" suspension, within the context of the tests conducted in the study. The dynamic testing consists of three input signals commonly used for such tests, namely: a chirp signal input, a step signal input, and a range of pure tone inputs. The test results show that the resonant frequencies of the two primary suspensions differ by an amount that is most likely too small to affect ride dynamics. The two suspensions, however, exhibit significantly different damping characteristics. The new suspension has much less frictional damping than the existing suspension. This is expected to provide better ride characteristics, assuming that the primary dampers (shock absorbers) are properly tuned for the vehicle that the new suspension was designed for. / Master of Science

This thesis is concerned with Semi-trailing arm suspension on racing car Škoda 130RS of group V. Kinematic analysis of suspension has been performed as well as stress analysis of single parts. On basis of these analysis, suspension design has been created. Design of suspension and fixtures are solved with regard to simplicity of manufacture, reduction of weight and reduction of maximal stresses. Adjustment of geometry of suspension (toe and camber) is realised by changing the position of fixtures on the body.

This thesis is concerned with the design of Škoda 130 RS rear Semi-Trailing Arm Suspension and fixtures on the body. The main requirement of this thesis is to reduce weight of suspension. It is carried out the kinematic analysis and optimization of the kinematic. The construction part of this thesis provides a design of suspension based on the analysis of forces acting on the car wheel. Last part of the thesis includes of new rear suspension stress analysis.