[ODE] Springs & Dampers

[Nate W]

On Tue, 16 Apr 2002, Frank Schaefer wrote:

> I think I am probably messing around trying to understand the best way
> to implement a suspension for a ground vehicle. What's the best way to
> implement for example a McPherson suspension, i.e. something like that

ODE's "hinge-2" joint is similar to a McPherson front end.

http://www.q12.org/ode/ode-latest-userguide.html#ref48

If you stop it from rotating on axis 1, it's rear suspension.  You don't
get the camber geometry that comes with a double-wishbone setup, but if
you that you might be able to 'fake it' as you compute your tire/ground
contact parameters (I haven't actually tried that myself, but it seems
reasonable).  

If you check out the FreeFall buggy simulator you'll see Hinge-2 joints in
action.  See the ODE community page for a link.  You may also be forced to
stay awake until the wee hours of the morning working on jumping
techniques and three-wheeling sprint-car-style oval racing.  It had that
effect on me, anyhow. :-)

-- 

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
http://www.natew.com