Análise comparativa de parâmetros de suspensão de um veículo

Abstract

This Final Course Project aims to comparatively analyze the suspension parameters of a Volkswagen Up!, considering the influence of springs with different construction characteristics and stiffness rates. The study investigates how these variations affect the vehicle's dynamic performance, including comfort, stability, and drivability. The methodology used includes compression tests of the springs on the EMIC DL 30000N universal testing machine to determine their stiffness, as well as the application of the quarter-car model for vibrational analysis. The original vehicle spring, with a stiffness of approximately 24,878 N/m, was compared to a coilover kit spring, which had an average stiffness of 40,978 N/m, representing an increase of 64.7%. This variation directly impacts on the vehicle's behavior, making it stiffer and more responsive, but less comfortable. Practical tests were conducted at the Zilmar Beux Circuit in Cascavel-PR to validate theoretical analyses. The lap time with the original suspension was 1 minute, 24 seconds, and 673 milliseconds, while with the coilover kit, it was reduced to 1 minute, 20 seconds, and 460 milliseconds, representing a 5.22% improvement in performance. This difference demonstrates that the increased suspension stiffness improves grip, reduces body roll, and allows for better control in corners. The results confirm that replacing the original suspension with a stiffer set significantly alters the vehicle's dynamics, favoring track performance but compromising comfort in urban use. The research contributes to the understanding of the interactions between suspension stiffness and vehicle dynamic behavior, being relevant both for motorsport enthusiasts and the automotive industry. Future research could deepen the analysis by considering the influence of damping and variations in the center of gravity height, as well as the application of sensors for more precise measurements of the vehicle's dynamic response.