Waveforms of longitudinal vibration during acceleration in MT vehicles have been used to develop five evaluation indices corresponding to sensory evaluations. The mechanism of longitudinal vibration during acceleration was clarified in each part of the system through which it is transmitted: engine, drive train, tires, engine mounts and suspension. A simulation model was constructed employing design values as the main elements, enabling specifications to be tested in the initial development phase, before the construction of an actual vehicle. This method was utilized in the development of the new model Accord, enabling suspension characteristics and engine torque control, among other design elements, to be optimized at an early stage, and resulting in the reduction of development time by half.
Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.15 No.2 (139 - 144)