A one-degree-of-freedom model of a suspension system is shown in Figure P3.60(a). For this model the mass of the vehicle is much greater than the axle mass, but the tire has characteristics which should be included in the analysis. In the model of Figure P3.60(b), the tire is assumed to be elastic with a stiffness \(k_{t}\). The tire stiffness acts in series with the spring and viscous damper of the suspension system.

(a) Derive a third-order differential equation governing the displacement of the vehicle from the system's equilibrium position.

(b) Solve the differential equation to determine the response of the system when the wheel encounters a pothole of depth \(h\).

Transcribed Image Text:

E C m C (a) FIGURE P3.60 (b)