Semi-active control of a passenger vehicle for improved ride and handling

Abstract

A theoretical model is developed for the semi-active control of the suspension of a full passenger car using a variable-structure-type algorithm. Skyhook control and variants of balance control (cancelling or adding the dynamic spring forces) are applied via a magnetorheological damper at the front and rear wheels to improve the vehicle ride and handling. The magnetorheological damper is modelled via a Bouc—Wen approach. The semi-active vehicle response is compared with a passive response. The robustness of control is established by adding noise to the computed sensor inputs, and the loose-wire scenario is also considered. The results show that balance control is a robust algorithm. The magnitude of acceleration reduction (for the human body and head—neck complex) using semi-active control varies with the semi-active approach and vehicle speed (a simulated random road was assumed). At 30m/s the human body acceleration reduction was found to be 70 per cent with skyhook control and 40 per cent with balance control (cancelling the dynamic spring forces). The handling manoeuvres of the vehicle are presented utilizing BS ISO 3888-1 1999. The handling performance of the vehicle is significantly improved, when balance control by cancelling is applied on the rear dampers only. Using skyhook control and balance control by adding a spring force to the system it is not possible to improve the handling response of the vehicle.

Innovative concept design of an independent front suspension and steering system

“…This not only eliminates the shambling shocks resulting from wheel jumping but also reduces the abrasion of tyres. Therefore, this kind of independent suspension can greatly improve the ride and handling of advanced vehicles [3,5,17]. For the same mechanical specifications, the whole weight of the suspension mechanism shown in Fig.…”

“…main-spring and tyres), interacting through some kinematic and compliant joints [1]. Its primary functions are to determine the geometry of the wheel motion during jounce and rebound [2], and to isolate the sprung mass from the road-induced vibration; this must improve car handling [3] and can effectively attenuate the vehicle vibration resulting from various road conditions [4]. The most common independent suspension mechanisms utilized in automobiles include the McPherson strut [5], the short-long-arm suspension [6], the short-long-arm front suspension with a true kingpin [7], and multi-link suspensions [8].…”

Performance analysis of MR damper based semi-active suspension system using optimally tuned controllers

“…29 The response time of MR damper and its effect on the dynamic behaviour of the full car vehicle is investigated under random road profiles. 30 A new controller was developed to study the response of the full car model by adopting the linear variable parameter system. 31 The robustness of novel Fuzzy sliding mode controller in quarter car suspension is presented and comparison with conventional SMC is discussed.…”

Skyhook control strategy for vehicle suspensions based on the distribution of the operational conditions

“…The above phenomenon is the well known chatter, but despite its importance, there isn't any specific method for assessing it. Few researcher related the switches number with the level of the chatter, 28,29 while others 30 considered the suppress of the nonlinearities of the control algorithm appearing around 30-40 Hz, as an metric of the chatter decrease. Few works in the literature have considered the decrease in chattering and have compared with traditional SH algorithms.…”

“…Few works in the literature have considered the decrease in chattering and have compared with traditional SH algorithms. 20,[28][29][30][31] Based on the literature, 32,33 the cause of the resulting chatter is the control of the operational conditions based on their sign, and attempts have been made to suppress it. 34 In this work, a control strategy is developed in order to avoid any redundant switches in the damping force.…”