multi-link suspension
multi-link suspension is one type of car suspension systems
with one or more longitudinal arms in a broader definition a multi-link suspension
can be considered as a suspension system with three control links or more multi-links
as there is no single multi-link setting in the industry
every car make and model has its own design
derived from a double wishbone suspension the multi-length suspension has three or more
lateral arms plus one or more longitudinal arms the arms do not have to be of the same length
in addition they can be angled away from their natural orientation
for example as shown here the multi-length suspension is like a double wishbone suspension
but with the addition of a fifth control arm each arm usually has a ball joint or
rubber bushes at each end some multi lengths use wish bones with two bushings on one end
some multi-links also use trailing arms
as a result they respond to loads along the arm's length and compression and tension
but without bending
for a three-link layout it allows free vertical
longitudinal and rotational motion or we call the triple axis freedom
for a four link layout it allows free vertical and rotational motion or the double axis freedom
for a five-length suspension it allows only single axis freedom the free vertical motion
to better understand multi-link suspensions let's consider the function of these arms and
the three orthogonal planes the top rear inside view the top view the arm needs to
control toe steer and lateral compliance this requires a pair of longitudinally separated arms
the rear view the arm needs to control the camber to control how the camber
changes as the wheel rebounds or drops up and down
the side view the arm must transmit traction and braking loads
as well as to control caster this is usually done by a longitudinal arm
solid axle multi-link suspension
variation of the same concept is the solid axle multi-link system the solid axle multi-link
system offers similar benefits but has several advantages over independent multi-link suspensions
is much cheaper and easier to build offers good mechanical durability
and excellent reliability and has very similar advantages
the solid axle multi-link suspension uses the lower and upper arm to control back and
forth movement and rotation this rotation occurs during acceleration and braking
the advantage multi-link suspension is considered to be the best independent system for production
vehicles as it offers the best compromise between space efficiency and handling
as well as comfort and handling in addition multi-link suspensions are
a great solution for off-road driving as they allow the vehicle to bend more
in the simplest form the multi-length suspension is orthogonal that it is possible to change one
parameter at a time within the suspension without affecting the entire assembly
this is a significant difference from double wishbones for a double wishbone suspension
moving a hardpoint or changing a bushing compliance affects more than one parameter
in addition solid axle multi links have the advantage of being significantly cheaper
and much easier to build than independent multi-legs
the disadvantage despite all the advantages
multi-length systems are expensive and complex to design and manufacture in addition it is difficult
to tune the multi-link geometry without a complete 3d computer-aided design analysis
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