2 stage spring calculator

[Cris]

Hi,

I was wondering what types of springs are normally used on formula student vehicles? By this I mean 1 stage, 2 stage or progressive.

Also, for my university project I am creating a calculator/program to help with the design of suspension. So far I have created a calculator in which you enter the static and max spring data and it will tell you the 2-stage spring configuration to use to achieve these results. The calculator can be found on:
http://pix-e.net/calculator.htm

If anyone has any ideas or requests I would be happy to try and create it and place a download online. I have some experience with suspension calculations... This way I can help some people out and make my project serve a purpose. Also please feel free to have a look at and comment on my current version, which is still far from complete.

Thank you

[Cris]

Hi,

I was wondering what types of springs are normally used on formula student vehicles? By this I mean 1 stage, 2 stage or progressive.

Also, for my university project I am creating a calculator/program to help with the design of suspension. So far I have created a calculator in which you enter the static and max spring data and it will tell you the 2-stage spring configuration to use to achieve these results. The calculator can be found on:
http://pix-e.net/calculator.htm

If anyone has any ideas or requests I would be happy to try and create it and place a download online. I have some experience with suspension calculations... This way I can help some people out and make my project serve a purpose. Also please feel free to have a look at and comment on my current version, which is still far from complete.

Thank you

[exFSAE]

If I'm understanding what you mean by 1- and 2-stage springs, I've never seen a 2-stage spring (two springs in series) on a FSAE car.

All 1-stage, and vast majority are linear. Motion ratios on the other hand, I know folks have designed a range from linear to progressive to whatever.

The dampers all have bump stops on them, if you want to consider that 2-stage, but on our cars at least they weren't designed to engage them.

Maybe it's just my philosophy on car design, but on a low/no-downforce car such as these I wouldn't want to be hitting bumpstops or putting helper springs in coilbind. I'd want nice, smooth, super predictable handling. If you don't tune packers or coilbinds just right, bad stuff can happen. Particularly if there's no aero advantage.

Just my 2 cents.

[Thomas MuWe]

@exFSAE:
More attention to detail! :-)
We had helper springs on the cars (07, 08, 09). But we needed it to have more rebound travel. It was / is a special case for our cars. On a 'normal' FS car, I would prefer taking just one spring. But maybe you can think of torsion springs. Could be an interesting alternative....

Thomas Müller-Werth
suspension jr08 / jr08evo
joanneum racing graz

[Cris]

Yes you did understand what I meant by 2-stage springs...
Thanks for both your inputs, its appreciated and I will have a look at torsion springs.

[Cris]

I have now released a version of the software that does the trick http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif It still needs some work, but I think many of you may find it quite useful.

www.suspensioncalculator.com (http://www.suspensioncalculator.com)

[Ruksana khan]

Hi,
Do you have any calculator to calculate the TCD(Turning circle radius)