Suspension Load Simulator

A tool with a graphic user interface that helps users analyze the loads on a Double Wishbone Suspension system for various Bump, Turning and Braking loads.

Description

As a car travels across an urban road, it will be subject to various Bump, Turn and Braking forces. In order to ensure a safe design, we need ensure that all the parts pass FEA for these loads.

In order to ensure the safety of the car and its passengers, the suspension and its accompanying components needs to be tested for these forces. Finding the effect of these forces on the system an be a difficult task.

Motivation

I was assigned the task of completing the load analysis for the McMaster Solar Car Project. Initially I wasn't able to find any documentation that could to assist me to do this analysis. I wanted to ensure that my current and future team mates wouldn't have this issue.

These calculations can be intensive and time consuming as we have to redo them for each design change. I wanted to create a tool that would assist us to automate these calculations.

I started with a simple MATLAB code to automate it, however this was found to be a hurdle for my colleagues who weren't experienced with the software. I wanted to create a simple interface that anyone can use.

Project

In order to solve this issue, I decided to develop a Graphic User Interface (GUI). I developed the GUI using Python, with the help of the PyQt5, SymPy amd Pandas libraries.

The tool allows the user to input various parameters based on their design, and then simulate the system for different load cases.

The GUI will help determine the forces acting on various components and will help the required rod ends and fastners.

Next Step

Include better graphics and images.