Hello everyone. Just wondering if anyone could help me out here. I am an automotive engineering degree student and as part of a design project I would like to model an adjustable twin blade sway arms in conjunction with an interchangable hollow, heat treated, high carbon steel sway bar (the standard gauge types used in US stock car racing) for a touring car, front suspension application. This may sound far-fetched to some but it was given to us as a "real design problem" for us to work on and have sleepless nights over ¦o) hehe
The pictures in the links below should give you an idea of what I am talking about showing an actual application of this design.
http://www.jaytorborg.com/anti-roll_bars.htm
http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?f...&action=product
I have searched the forum but haven't as yet found the answers to my questions, specifically about this type of design. Now I have a few questions as I am not from the motorsport "scene". I understand how the design works, horizontal blade = "soft", on edge blade = "hard", the purpose of the ARB etc. I am however more interested in making calculations and a spreadseet for such a setup.
1. Does anyone know where I can find or do you have stiffness formulas relating to blade type ARBs? Any formulas for that matter which have direct application to blade type ARBs please?
2. Software, spreadsheets, books, photocopies, scans, websites, manufatcurers related to blade type ARB's... any recommendations or help here?
3. For the blades (arms) themselves, has anyone used aluminium, titanium or carbon instead of a steel alloy? What have your experiences been? (assume price is not an issue) What about surface finish of the blades? Which material would you say is safest for such an application and why?
4. Hollow Tube (Bar) of ARB: Powder coated or zinc coated finish? Why? Experiences please.
5. AR Bar - Chassis Mounting: I have seen a number of ARB mounting options integrating PU bushings, bronze bushings, roller and needle bearings. What really works? What would work best? Is the noise from the undampened STABILISOR unbearable during driving under race conditions? Your comments please?
6. Apart from driver/cockpit actuated systems, has anyone seen technician/mechanic adjustable blade type ARBs?... for pit-stop adjustment on the fly... i.e. FAST
7. Has anyone ever done Finite Element Analysis on such a part? Any tips for a novice?
Any help offered would be greatly appreciated. If you noticed, I even said please a couple of times hehe
Looking forward to sharing pic of finished design with forum at some point.