Kinematic Analysis of a Novel Four-Wheel Independent Drive and Steering Electric Vehicles Suspension Module Design

¹ Mechanical Engineering Department, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, 60111 Surabaya, Indonesia
² School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ulsan, 44610 Ulsan, South Korea
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Recent developments in electric vehicle (EV) technology present substantial potential for reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable transportation systems. In this context, the integration of four-wheel independent drive (4WID) and four-wheel independent steering (4WIS) configurations has gained attention due to their ability to enhance vehicle manoeuvrability, control, and spatial efficiency. This study proposes a novel design and conducts a comprehensive kinematic analysis of a 4WID-4WIS suspension module. The analysis, which includes a detailed chassis model and simulations involving 120 mm wheel travel, assesses the effects on key kinematic parameters, including roll center height, toe angle variation, and camber gain. Additionally, variations in hardpoint positions were analyzed to determine their influence on suspension behavior. The findings demonstrate that the optimized suspension geometry effectively minimizes undesirable kinematic responses while enabling a 90o steering capability. These outcomes offer valuable insights for developing agile, stable, and compact EV platforms, contributing to realizing space-efficient urban mobility solutions and sustainable city infrastructures.