Virtual Spindle Length and Offset

Request Number: 80000350

Spindle Length and Spindle Offset both depend on the steer axis.

The kingpin axis or steer axis on an SLA or Macpherson strut suspension is defined by two points (the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint in the SLA suspension, the upper strut mount location and the lower ball joint in the case of the Macpherson strut suspension). When the kingpin axis is not defined by two distinct points, it must be calculated virtually, using the motion of the spindle to calculate the instant axis of rotation of the knuckle. The virtual requests (numbers 80000310-80000350) use this method to calculate the kingpin axis location, and parameters that rely on it. These requests should be used on suspensions that do not have a clearly defined steer axis, such as a 4 link or 5 link independent suspension.

For the computation of the kingpin axis, the steering needs to be free (no motion) and the suspension travel needs to be locked. The lock needs to be defined in the model and will be invoked, when computing the kingpin axis automatically. Defining the lock in the model involves the definition of an array, containing the position, direction and body to lock and calling a user subroutine to pass this information to the solver. See Locking Steering and Spring Travel for details.