3-6
DRIVE-CONTROL COMPONENTS
-
Front Suspension
Double Wishbone SuspensionDouble Wishbone Suspension
OPTIMIZED VIRTUAL KINGPIN AXIS POSITIONING
In a double-wishbone type suspension, the lower point the
kingpin axis passes through is the joint between knuckle and
lower arm (point A in the illustration at the left). If the double-
d
wishbone type suspension has a high-mounted upper arm,
therefore, the extension of the kingpin axis will meet the ground
at a point inside the center of the ground contacting area of
the tire as shown in the illustration (positive offset).
In the case of the multi-link suspension, a virtual
kingpin axis is formed in such a way that its lower
section passes through the intersection (point A’
as illustrated below) of the lateral lower arm and
compression lower arm extensions. This makes it
possible for the virtual kingpin axis ground meeting
Multi-Link Suspension
Rear View
‘Virtual kingpin axis
Poin
Negative offset
point to be located outside the center point where
the tire contacts the ground surface (negative offset).
In addition, the offset between the wheel center
(point C in the illustration) and the kingpin axis can
be made smaller than that in a strut type or double-
d
wishbone type suspension.
Plan View
Front of vehicle
Upper arm
b-L4
Point
A’
/
Point
WI
I,,,
ax
12x0094
12x0093