Parametric Analysis and Compensation of Ride Comfort for Electric Drivetrains Utilizing in-Wheel Electric Motors

In this paper we study the effects of increased unsprung mass that result from the use of in-wheel electric motors used in hybrid and/or electric drive trains. For this purpose we reduce the problem to the analysis of the quarter car suspension model to assess how increasing unsprung mass affects the ride comfort. In order to see the change in the ride comfort level according to ISO 2631 the analysis was done in frequency domain using random road profile inputs generated according to ISO 8608. Also the results were assessed using a commercial multi body vehicle simulation software. Finally we suggest empirical solutions regarding modified suspension and tire parameters to compensate the detrimental effects of increased unsprung mass.