Design and Optimization of Hydropneumatic Suspension Simulation Test Bench with Electro-Hydraulic Proportional Control

Abstract

Available hydropneumatic suspension simulation test benches have insufficient loading accuracy and limited functionality rendering them unsuitable for performance testing of heavy vehicles with this type of suspension. Therefore, a multi-functional compound simulation test bench was designed that used an electro-hydraulic proportional control technique. A mathematical model was established to describe the hydraulic loading system, and the transfer function of the system was derived. The gain and phase margins confirmed the stability of the system. A simulation model was established in the Simulink environment and step and sine signals of different frequencies were applied separately to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the system. The results showed that the system responded slowly and exhibited phase lag and signal distortion. The dynamic characteristics of the system were improved by incorporating an adaptive fuzzy PID controller. Simulation results showed that the response of the system to the step signal stabilized at the preset value within 0.3 s with no oscillation or overshoot. The improved system performed well in replicating the random vibrations of heavy vehicles operating on Class B and C roads. This confirmed that the system can satisfy the loading requirements of heavy vehicle hydropneumatic suspensions and can be used as a simulation test bench for such suspensions.