Suspension Explorer

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Introduction ​

Suspension Explorer is an interactive application for simulating and analyzing vehicle suspension kinematics.

The solver computes coordinated bump, roll, and steer sweeps and their metrics for a range of suspension configurations. The application visualizes suspension motion and calculated metrics, and exports results for further analysis.

Core functionality ​

Suspension Explorer supports the following operations:

  • Assemble a suspension system model from design-condition hardpoints and configuration parameters.
  • Validate topology, mechanism compatibility, and initial geometry.
  • Drive one or more actuators through bump, roll, and steering motion.
  • Calculate corner and axle metrics from each solved state.
  • Visually inspect the suspension’s motion and calculated metrics directly in the application, or export results for further analysis.

A range of suspension architectures are supported, including double wishbone, MacPherson strut, and multi-link layouts.

How it works ​

Suspension Explorer treats a suspension system as a collection of idealized rigid parts connected by ideal joints. Geometric constraints define how the components can move relative to one another. The solver combines these constraints with input motion targets to determine the suspension’s pose at each step. It records component positions and orientations, then computes metrics from the solved configuration.

See Solver design for the analytical Jacobians, automatic differentiation, and dependency-aware point calculations behind this workflow.

For layouts without a physical steering axis, e.g., multi-link/five-link front suspensions, the application computes an instantaneous ‘virtual’ axis of rotation for steering-related metrics.

See Supported models for the implemented architectures, mechanisms, outputs, and limits.

Further information

Suspension Explorer was written by a former Formula 1 vehicle dynamics engineer.

Model limitations ​

The solver calculates ideal geometry and motion. It does not yet model:

  • Compliance in bushings, tires, chassis, or suspension components.
  • Loads, stress, fatigue, strength, damping, or inertia.
  • Transient multibody dynamics.
  • Packaging and interference between components.

The open-core model ​

Suspension Explorer uses an open-core model, similar to Google Chrome or Visual Studio Code. The core functionality is freely available, independent of the interactive app, and can be studied and extended.

The core library provides programmatic access to functionality beyond the graphical interface.

The core solver’s source code is available on GitHub.

Next steps ​