Fuzzy Logic Active and Semi-Active Control of Off-Road Vehicle Suspensions

For off-road vehicles, minimizing the absorbed power is the main objective of suspension control. The primary cause of increase in the absorbed power in off-road vehicles driven at high speeds on harsh courses is the exhaustion of the suspension travel. Fuzzy-logic approach to active and semi-active off-road vehicle suspension control, with the goal of improving the speed of the vehicle over rough terrains are developed. The ride metric used for quantifying improvements is the absorbed power of the sprung mass. Particular attention is paid to the proper modeling of the suspension using both the full kinematic constraints and the more convenient two degree of freedom linear model of the quarter vehicle suspension. The nonlinearities due to the kinematic constraints on motion are accounted for by modifying the stiffness and damping coefficients of the suspension spring and dashpot in the linear model. The control laws are developed using the less complex model and demonstrated in the fully constrained environment. Nonlinearities of the suspension, including tire stiffness/damping and bumpstops are included at all stages of controller development.     

Modelling and validation of electromechanical shock absorbers

Electromechanical vehicle suspension systems represent a promising substitute to conventional hydraulic solutions. However, the design of electromechanical devices that are able to supply high damping forces without exceeding geometric dimension and mass constraints is a difficult task. All these challenges meet in off-road vehicle suspension systems, where the power density of the dampers is a crucial parameter. In this context, the present paper outlines a particular shock absorber configuration where a suitable electric machine and a transmission mechanism are utilised to meet off-road vehicle requirements. A dynamic model is used to represent the device. Subsequently, experimental tests are performed on an actual prototype to verify the functionality of the damper and validate the proposed model.     

EQ2102越野汽车前轮摆振影响因素试验分析及改进措施

针对东风EQ2102型独立悬架越野汽车的前轮摆振问题进行了道路试验分析,研究了前轮失衡量、转向系统阻尼和刚度对前轮摆振的影响。试验及分析表明,该车摆振主要为强迫振动,通过控制激振源、增大转向系统阻尼可抑制摆振。提出了采用阻尼轴承代替主销滚针轴承来增大转向阻尼的解决方案,同时评估了阻尼轴承对汽车操纵稳定性的影响。     

Active Control of Non-stationary Response of Vehicles with Nonlinear Suspensions

Active control of non-stationary response of a single degree of freedom vehicle model with nonlinear passive suspension elements is considered in this paper. The method of equivalent linearization is used to derive the equivalent linear model and the optimal control laws are obtained by using stochastic optimal control theory based on full state information. Velocity squared quadratic damping and hysteresis type of stiffness nonlinearities are considered. The effect of the nonlinearities on the active system performance is studied. The performance of active suspensions with nonlinear passive elements is found to be superior to the corresponding passive suspension systems.     

Actively controlled vehicle suspension with energy regeneration capabilities

The paper presents an innovative dual purpose automotive suspension topology, combining for the first time the active damping qualities with mechanical vibrations power regeneration capabilities. The new configuration consists of a linear generator as an actuator, a power processing stage based on a gyrator operating under sliding mode control and dynamics controllers. The researched design is simple and energetically efficient, enables an accurate force–velocity suspension characteristic control as well as energy regeneration control, with no practical implementation constraints imposed over the theoretical design. Active damping is based on Skyhook suspension control scheme, which enables overcoming the passive damping tradeoff between high- and low-frequency performance, improving both body isolation and the tire's road grip. The system-level design includes configuration of three system operation modes: passive, semi–active or fully active damping, all using the same electro-mechanical infrastructure, and each focusing on different objective: dynamics improvement or power regeneration. Conclusively, the innovative hybrid suspension is theoretically researched, practically designed and analysed, and proven to be feasible as well as profitable in the aspects of power regeneration, vehicle dynamics improvement and human health risks reduction.     

Active Control of Non-stationary Response of Vehicles with Nonlinear Suspensions

SUMMARY

Active control of non-stationary response of a single degree of freedom vehicle model with nonlinear passive suspension elements is considered in this paper. The method of equivalent linearization is used to derive the equivalent linear model and the optimal control laws are obtained by using stochastic optimal control theory based on full state information. Velocity squared quadratic damping and hysteresis type of stiffness nonlinearities are considered. The effect of the nonlinearities on the active system performance is studied. The performance of active suspensions with nonlinear passive elements is found to be superior to the corresponding passive suspension systems.     

Overturning Stability of Three Wheeled Motorized Vehicles

Three wheeled motorized vehicles are a major mode of public transport in many countries. These vehicles are prone to overturning even during normal turning and obstacle avoidance maneuvers. This paper presents a parametric analysis of a mathematical model of the vehicle and evolves guidelines for improving the overturning stability in terms of vehicle geometry and suspension properties.

Differential equations governing the dynamic behavior of the vehicle are derived on the basis of a six degree of freedom model. The vehicle response to variations in steering, engine power and braking inputs is then numerically simulated. The effects of vehicle geometry and elasto-damping suspension coefficients on the vehicle stability are presented. The results indicate an optimum position of the center of gravity where the vehicle is most stable. While stiffer suspensions favour stability, there exists an optimum value of suspension damping for which the minimum wheel load is a maximum.     

Design of a Stroke Dependent Damper for the Front Axle Suspension of a Truck Using Multibody System Dynamics and Numerical Optimization

Summary A stroke dependent damper is designed for the front axle suspension of a truck. The damper supplies extra damping for inward deflections rising above 4 cm. In this way the damper should reduce extreme suspension deflections without deteriorating the comfort of the truck. But the question is which stroke dependent damping curve yields the best compromise between suspension deflection working space and comfort. Therefore an optimization problem is defined to minimize the maximum inward suspension deflection subject to constraints on the chassis acceleration for three typical road undulations. The optimization problem is solved using sequential linear programming (SLP) and multibody dynamics simulation software. Several optimization runs have been carried out for a small two degree of freedom vehicle model and a large full-scale model of the truck semi-trailer combination. The results show that the stroke dependent damping can reduce large deflections at incidental road disturbances, but that the optimum stroke dependent damping curve is related to the acceleration bound. By means of vehicle model simulation and numerical optimization we have been able to quantify this trade-off between suspension deflection working space and truck comfort.     

轮毂电机驱动车辆驱动力控制研究

轮毂电机驱动车辆各轮转矩精确可控且响应迅速的特点适用于越野工况，但越野路面起伏不一且附着条件多变，因此，开发基于越野工况辨识的车辆驱动力控制策略，对提升轮毂电机驱动车辆的纵向行驶稳定性具有重要意义。基于动力学模型分析路面附着与路面几何特征，确定可用于越野工况辨识的车辆特征参数集；针对车轮悬空垂向载荷估计失真现象，且由于地面垂向力的实际变化导致车辆垂向载荷分配比例的改变，修正了垂向载荷的计算；利用各特征参数的差异与越野工况的映射关系判定工况属性，采用模糊识别法界定4种地形工况；驱动力控制上层考虑工况与驾驶员影响因素，通过越野工况辨识结果决策驱动利用系数，作为前馈期望转矩调节权重；中层通过四轮垂向载荷得到转矩分配系数，设计驱动力分配算法；下层针对车辆在越野工况下出现车轮滑转与悬空状态，对车轮进行动态转矩补偿。仿真测试与实车验证表明，越野工况辨识结果与预期相符，驱动力控制策略综合优化了车辆稳定性和动力性。     

Analysis of vehicle rollover dynamics using a high-fidelity model

Recent data show that 35% of fatal crashes in sport utility vehicles included vehicle rollover. At the same time, experimental testing to improve safety is expensive and dangerous. Therefore, multi-body simulation is used in this research to improve the understanding of rollover dynamics. The majority of previous work uses low-fidelity models. Here, a complex and highly nonlinear multi-body model with 165 degrees of freedom is correlated to vehicle kinematic and compliance (K&C) measurements. The Magic Formula tyre model is employed. Design of experiment methodology is used to identify tyre properties affecting vehicle rollover. A novel, statistical approach is used to link suspension K&C characteristics with rollover propensity. Research so far reveals that the tyre properties that have the greatest influence on vehicle rollover are friction coefficient, friction variation with load, camber stiffness and tyre vertical stiffness. Key K&C characteristics affecting rollover propensity are front and rear suspension rate, front roll stiffness, front camber gain, front and rear camber compliance and rear jacking force.     

Linear matrix inequality based control of vehicle active suspension system

Linear matrix inequality (LMI) methods, novel techniques in solving optimisation problems, were introduced as a unified approach for vehicle's active suspension system controller design. LMI methods were used to provide improved and computationally efficient controller design techniques. The active suspension problem was formulated as a standard convex optimisation problem involving LMI constraints that can be solved efficiently using recently developed interior point optimisation methods. An LMI based controller for a vehicle system was developed. The controller design process involved setting up an optimisation problem with matrix inequality constraints. These LMI constraints were derived for a vehicle suspension system. The resulting LMI controller was then tested on a quarter-car model using computer simulations. The LMI controller results were compared with an optimal PID controller design solution. The LMI controller was further tested by incorporating a nonlinear term in the vehicle's suspension model; the LMI's controller degraded response was enhanced by using gain-scheduling techniques. The LMI controller with gain-scheduling gave good results in spite of the unmodelled dynamics in the suspension system, which was triggered by large deflections due to off-road driving.     

Root mean square optimization criterion for vibration behaviour of linear quarter car using analytical methods

In this paper, a linear two-degree-of-freedom quarter car model is used to derive a number of analytical formulae describing the dynamic behaviour of passively suspended vehicles running on a harmonically bumped road. The linearity of the system allows us to analytically investigate the steady-state response characteristics. We derive analytical expressions for the root mean square (RMS) of the sprung mass absolute acceleration and relative displacement. This paper demonstrates the shortcomings of existing classical optimization methods. Hence we introduce a new optimization method based on minimizing the absolute acceleration RMS with respect to the relative displacement RMS. The RMS optimization method is applied for the symbolic derivation of analytical formulae featuring the best compromise among conflicting performance indices pertaining to the vehicle suspension system, i.e., sprung mass acceleration and working space. The proposed optimization technique is utilized to find the optimal damping and stiffness curves for the main suspension. The RMS optimal values are used to create design charts for suspension parameters, which are very useful particularly in the presence of physical constraints such as a limit on relative displacement. We introduce a numerical example to illustrate the optimality of the obtained solutions.     

油气弹簧非线性特性对车辆平顺性的影响分析

推导并建立了某工程车辆油气弹簧的非线性刚度和阻尼特性的数学模型，并将其导入到车辆模型中。根据汽车悬架质量分配特点．将汽车简化为两自由度的舣质量振动系统，对此两自由度模型的车轮加速度、车身加速度和悬架动行程进行了仿真从仿真结果可以看出，非线性油气弹簧能很好地衰减由路面传递来的振动。分析了刚度和阻尼的变化对车辆平顺性的影响。     

Kinematic design of double-wishbone suspension systems using a multiobjective optimisation approach

This paper is focused on the kinematic design of double-wishbone suspension systems in vehicles, which is tackled using a multiobjective dimensional synthesis technique. The synthesis goal is to optimise an RSSR–SS linkage, subject to some constraints involved in the dynamic behaviour of vehicles. The synthesis method is based on gradient determination using exact differentiation to obtain the elements in the Jacobian matrix. These characteristics make the method adapt well to the optimum design of vehicle suspension systems. The method is capable of handling equality and inequality constraints, thus, the usual ranges of values may be imposed on the functional parameters. The formulation presented is easy to implement and the solutions obtained demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the method.     

Roll- and pitch-plane coupled hydro-pneumatic suspension

Passive fluidically coupled suspensions have been considered to offer a promising alternative solution to the challenging design of a vehicle suspension system. A theoretical foundation, however, has not been established for fluidically coupled suspension to facilitate its broad applications to various vehicles. The first part of this study investigates the fundamental issues related to feasibility and properties of the passive, full-vehicle interconnected, hydro-pneumatic suspension configurations using both analytical and simulation techniques. Layouts of various interconnected suspension configurations are illustrated based on two novel hydro-pneumatic suspension strut designs, both of which provide a compact design with a considerably large effective working area. A simplified measure, vehicle property index, is proposed to permit a preliminary evaluation of different interconnected suspension configurations using qualitative scaling of the bounce-, roll-, pitch- and warp-mode stiffness properties. Analytical formulations for the properties of unconnected and three selected X-coupled suspension configurations are derived, and simulation results are obtained to illustrate their relative stiffness and damping properties in the bounce, roll, pitch and warp modes. The superior design flexibility feature of the interconnected hydro-pneumatic suspension is also discussed through sensitivity analysis of a design parameter, namely the annular piston area of the strut. The results demonstrate that a full-vehicle interconnected hydro-pneumatic suspension could provide enhanced roll- and pitch-mode stiffness and damping, while retaining the soft bounce- and warp-mode properties. Such an interconnected suspension thus offers considerable potential in realising enhanced decoupling among the different suspension modes.     

Design of passive vehicle suspensions for maximal least damping ratio

This paper studies the use of the least damping ratio among system poles as a performance metric in passive vehicle suspensions. Methods are developed which allow optimal solutions to be computed in terms of non-dimensional quantities in a quarter-car vehicle model. Solutions are provided in graphical form for convenient use across vehicle types. Three suspension arrangements are studied: the standard suspension involving a parallel spring and damper and two further suspension arrangements involving an inerter. The key parameters for the optimal solutions are the ratios of unsprung mass to sprung mass and suspension static stiffness to tyre vertical stiffness. A discussion is provided of performance trends in terms of the key parameters. A comparison is made with the optimisation of ride comfort and tyre grip metrics for various vehicle types.     

Optimal Performance of Variable Component Suspensions

Most vehicle suspension systems use fixed passive components that offer a compromise in performance between sprung mass isolation, suspension travel, and tireroad contact force. Recently, systems with discretely adjustable dampers and air springs been added to production vehicles. Active and semi-active damping concepts for vehicle suspensions have also been studied theoretically and with physical prototypes. This paper examines the optimal performance comparisons of variable component suspensions, including active damping and full-state feedback, for “quartercar” heave models. Two and three dimensional optimizations are computed using performance indicators to find the component parameters (control gains) that provide “optimal” performance for statistically described roadway inputs. The effects of performance weighting and feedback configuration are examined. Active damping is shown to be mainly important for vehicle isolation. A passive vehicle suspension can control suspension travel and tire contact force nearly as well as a full state feedback control strategy.     

基于多体系统动力学的微型客车操纵稳定性DOE优化设计

利用多体系统动力学软件ADAMS建立了某微型客车动力学模型,并应用该模型对整车操纵稳定性进行了仿真分析.结合仿真数据利用ADAMS/Insight模块对前、后悬架系统中的刚度和阻尼进行了正交DOE优化,通过对优化结果的分析提出前、后悬架系统刚度值和阻尼值的3组合理匹配组合,最后通过3种组合在试验样车上的主观评价结果确定了前、后悬架刚度值和阻尼值.     

Optimal Performance of Variable Component Suspensions

SUMMARY

Most vehicle suspension systems use fixed passive components that offer a compromise in performance between sprung mass isolation, suspension travel, and tireroad contact force. Recently, systems with discretely adjustable dampers and air springs been added to production vehicles. Active and semi-active damping concepts for vehicle suspensions have also been studied theoretically and with physical prototypes. This paper examines the optimal performance comparisons of variable component suspensions, including active damping and full-state feedback, for “quartercar” heave models. Two and three dimensional optimizations are computed using performance indicators to find the component parameters (control gains) that provide “optimal” performance for statistically described roadway inputs. The effects of performance weighting and feedback configuration are examined. Active damping is shown to be mainly important for vehicle isolation. A passive vehicle suspension can control suspension travel and tire contact force nearly as well as a full state feedback control strategy.     

磁流变减振器极限高低温特性及变温正逆模型

磁流变减振器阻尼力和电流的精确控制是实现半主动悬架的算法、达到整车系统控制目标的必要条件,但由于磁流变液的温度敏感性使得磁流变减振器阻尼力强烈依赖温度变化,带来模型失配和控制效果弱化的问题。基于此进行磁流变减振器在不同电流和速度下的高低温(-40℃~80℃)示功试验研究,揭示磁流变减振器在低温下丧失阻尼特性而表现出刚度特性,在高温下黏滞阻尼退化的特性规律。为了描述磁流变减振器随温度变化的复杂非线性特性,提出一种新的磁流变减振器变温参数化双曲滞回模型,该模型引入温度作为自变量,对磁流变减振器黏滞阻尼、刚度及滞回特性进行准确描述。为了面向实际减振器控制,在此双曲滞回模型的基础上,进一步线性化求逆得到磁流变减振器温度修正的逆模型。该逆模型输入预期阻尼力和减振器压缩速度作为自变量,可以直接给出满足减振器力值约束的控制电流。研究结果表明：相较于未进行温度补偿的逆模型,该逆模型能够平均提升12.79%的电流控制精度以及12.53%的控制力跟踪精度;进行温度修正的模型能够在仿真中还原更真实的磁流变减振器力学特性,逆模型能够给出更精确的控制电流,为充分发挥磁流变减振器的能力、实现车辆的半主动悬架精确控制提供了理论和方法指导。