Hybrid modeling of seat-cab coupled system for truck

For the complex structure and vibration characteristics of the seat and cab system of truck, there is no reliable theoretical model for the suspensions design at present, which seriously restricts the improvement of ride comfort. In this paper, a 4 degree-of-freedom seat-cab coupled system model was presented; using the mechanism modeling method, its vibration equations were built; then, by the tested cab suspensions excitations and seat acceleration response, its parameters identification mathematical model was established. Combining the tested signals and a simulation model with the parameters identification mathematical model, a new method of hybrid modeling of seat-cab coupled system was presented. With a practical example of seat and cab system, the parameters values were identified and validated by simulation and test. The results show that the model and method proposed are correct and reliable, and lay a good foundation for the optimal design of seat suspension and cab suspensions to improve ride comfort.     

载货汽车驾驶室乘坐舒适性研究

通过计算机仿真模拟了在路面随机输入下驾驶室底板的振动响应;利用Nastran软件对车身的有限元模型进行模态抽取,建立了刚弹耦合模型;对多刚体模型、刚弹耦合振动模型的计算结果与试验进行了对比,验证了模型的正确性;以驾驶室悬置的弹簧刚度、减振器阻尼为影响因素,通过虚拟DOE正交试验分析,显著改善了驾驶室的乘坐舒适性。     

Analytical description of ride comfort and optimal damping of cushion-suspension for wheel-drive electric vehicles

To provide initial design values of seat cushion and chassis suspension damping for wheel-drive electric vehicles (WDEVs), this paper presents an analytical estimation method and a practical damping parameters design method. Firstly, two formulae of the human body vertical acceleration in terms of the power spectrum density (PSD) and the root mean square (RMS) are deduced for WDEVs. Then, the coupling effects of the key vehicle parameters on ride comfort are revealed. Finally, with a practical example, the damping parameters of the cushion and the suspension are initially designed and analyzed. The results show that when every 10.0 kg increases for motor mass, the optimal damping values of the cushion and the suspension should be reduced by about 15.0 Ns/m and 50.0 Ns/m, respectively. However, the RMS acceleration increases 0.017 m/s² with a decrease of 2.5 % for ride comfort.     

Pareto optimisation of railway bogie suspension damping to enhance safety and comfort

This paper presents the optimisation of damping characteristics in bogie suspensions using a multi-objective optimisation methodology. The damping is investigated and optimised in terms of the resulting performances of a railway vehicle with respect to safety, comfort and wear considerations. A complete multi-body system model describing the railway vehicle dynamics is implemented in commercial software Gensys and used in the optimisation. In complementary optimisation analyses, a reduced and linearised model describing the bogie system dynamics is also utilised. Pareto fronts with respect to safety, comfort and wear objectives are obtained, showing the trade-off behaviour between the objectives. Such trade-off curves are of importance, especially in the design of damping functional components. The results demonstrate that the developed methodology can successfully be used for multi-objective investigations of a railway vehicle within models of different levels of complexity. By introducing optimised passive damping elements in the bogie suspensions, both safety and comfort are improved. In particular, it is noted that the use of optimised passive damping elements can allow for higher train speeds. Finally, adaptive strategies for switching damping parameters with respect to different ride conditions are outlined and discussed.     

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.     

汽车悬架系统非线性参数时域优化及应用

针对国产某微型轿车,在建立汽车悬架系统5自由度模型和时域路面模型基础上,对悬架系统的线性弹簧和非线性阻尼参数进行了优化。根据优化结果,对悬架系统的刚度和阻尼进行了匹配设计。经试验表明:座椅加速度自谱峰值减小7.4%,加速度均方根值减小19.4%,有效地改善了该车的行驶平顺性,证明时域优化方法对于悬架系统非线性参数优化是可行的。     

Stochastic Optimal Control of Highway Tractors with Active Suspensions

Stochastic optimal control and estimation theories are used to design an active suspension system for a cab ride in a tractor-semitrailer vehicle. A discrete-continuous vehicle model with eleven degrees of freedom is augmented by a stochastic road excitation model and a human perception of vibration shape filter. Both perfect measurement and estimated state cases are considered. The impact of the measurement noise on the design of the optimal controller is demonstrated. The performance of the optimally controlled system is compared with an optimal passive system. It is shown that significant improvements in ride comfort can be achieved through the use of actively controlled cab suspensions.     

汽车半主动悬架的自适应LQG控制

本文根据汽车半主动悬轲的基本结构，通过力学分析建立了其数学模型，为了克服实际的悬架控制系统动态行的不确定性，采用了自适应ＬＱＧ控制策略。     

Hierarchical optimisation on scissor seat suspension characteristic and structure

Scissor seat suspension has been applied widely to attenuate the cab vibrations of commercial vehicles, while its design generally needs a trade-off between the seat acceleration and suspension travel, which creates a typical optimisation issue. A complexity for this issue is that the optimal dynamics parameters are not easy to approach solutions fast and unequivocally. Hence, the hierarchical optimisation on scissor seat suspension characteristic and structure is proposed, providing a top-down methodology with the globally optimal and fast convergent solutions to compromise these design contradictions. In details, a characteristic-oriented non-parametric dynamics model of the scissor seat suspension is formulated firstly via databases, describing its vertical dynamics accurately. Then, the ideal vertical stiffness-damping characteristic is cascaded via the characteristic-oriented model, and the structure parameters are optimised in accordance with a structure-oriented multi-body dynamics model of the scissor seat suspension. Eventually, the seat effective amplitude transmissibility factor, suspension travel and the CPU time for solving are evaluated. The results show the seat suspension performance and convergent speed of the globally optimal solutions are improved well. Hence, the proposed hierarchical optimisation methodology regarding characteristic and structure of the scissor seat suspension is promising for its virtual development.     

Roll and pitch independently tuned interconnected suspension: modelling and dynamic analysis

In this paper, a roll and pitch independently tuned hydraulically interconnected passive suspension is presented. Due to decoupling of vibration modes and the improved lateral and longitudinal stability, the stiffness of individual suspension spring can be reduced for improving ride comfort and road grip. A generalised 14 degree-of-freedom nonlinear vehicle model with anti-roll bars is established to investigate the vehicle ride and handling dynamic responses. The nonlinear fluidic model of the hydraulically interconnected suspension is developed and integrated with the full vehicle model to investigate the anti-roll and anti-pitch characteristics. Time domain analysis of the vehicle model with the proposed suspension is conducted under different road excitations and steering/braking manoeuvres. The dynamic responses are compared with conventional suspensions to demonstrate the potential of enhanced ride and handling performance. The results illustrate the model-decoupling property of the hydraulically interconnected system. The anti-roll and anti-pitch performance could be tuned independently by the interconnected systems. With the improved anti-roll and anti-pitch characteristics, the bounce stiffness and ride damping can be optimised for better ride comfort and tyre grip.     

重型商用车驾驶室悬置结构对平顺性影响的试验研究

以某重型商用车驾驶室悬置系统为例,通过实车道路试验,研究了四弹簧,四气囊悬置减振系统的振动特性在A级路面和B级路面对车辆行驶平顺性的影响规律。试验结果表明,四气囊驾驶室悬置系统的平顺性整体优于四弹簧驾驶室悬置结构。     

Ride comfort of high-speed trains travelling over railway bridges

The ride comfort of high-speed trains passing over railway bridges is studied in this paper. A parametric study is carried out using a time domain model. The effects of some design parameters are investigated such as damping and stiffness of the suspension system and also ballast stiffness. The influence of the track irregularity and train speed on two comfort indicators, namely Sperling's comfort index and the maximum acceleration level are also studied. Two types of railway bridges, a simple girder and an elastically supported bridge are considered.

Timoshenko beam theory is used for modelling the rail and bridge and two layers of parallel damped springs in conjunction with a layer of mass are used to model the rail-pads, sleepers and ballast. A randomly irregular vertical track profile is modelled, characterized by its power spectral density (PSD). The ‘roughness’ is generated for three classes of tracks. Nonlinear Hertz theory is used for modelling the wheel-rail contact. The influences of some nonlinear parameters in a carriage-track-bridge system, such as the load-stiffening characteristics of the rail-pad and the ballast and that of rubber elements in the primary and secondary suspension systems, on the comfort indicators are also studied. Based on Galerkin's method of solution, a new analytical approach is developed for the combination between the rigid and flexural mode shapes, which could be used not only for elastically supported bridges but also other beam-type structures.     

基于CAE技术的某中型卡车司机座椅振动舒适性分析及优化

座椅刚度和阻尼参数的选取,直接影响座椅的乘坐舒适性。采用CAE技术,对某中型卡车司机座椅进行动力学响应分析,并对座椅的弹簧刚度和减振器阻尼参数进行动力学优化,优化后座垫上的加速度峰值大幅降低,取得了比较好的效果。通过平顺性试验验证,优化后的座椅结构在各种车速下,总计权值明显低于原结构。摸索出了一条运用CAE技术对机械式座椅的乘坐舒适性进行分析和优化的途径。     

铰接式自卸车橡胶弹簧悬架系统试验研究

采用模拟随机输入路面谱激励室内台架试验的方法,对装有新型橡胶弹簧悬架系统的某型号铰接式自卸车进行台架试验研究,以评价橡胶弹簧悬架系统的减振性能和整车行驶平顺性。试验结果表明由于橡胶弹簧悬架系统某些参数匹配不合理导致该车行驶平顺性很不理想,通过优化悬架及座椅的刚度和阻尼参数,可提高整车行驶平顺性,并给出了座椅弹簧的优化结果。     

An Original Feedback Control with a Reversible Electromechanical Actuator Used as an Active Isolation System for a Seat Suspension. Part I: Theoretical Study

This paper provides an overview of a theoretical study of an active seat suspension. The principal objective of this study is to improve ride passenger comfort by reducing transmitted seat acceleration. The seat is represented by a non-linear two degree of freedom model. The system is linearized for small perturbations around the equilibrium. To control the dynamic of the seat suspension, an original feedback control command with a reversible electromechanical actuator is achieved. The synthesis of the regulator is realized on the linearized model of the seat suspension and the root locus method is employed. Stability and robustness characteristics have been studied. Numerical simulations in time and frequency domain show the interests of the regulator and its capability to isolate seat passenger.     

An Original Feedback Control with a Reversible Electromechanical Actuator Used as an Active Isolation System for a Seat Suspension. Part I: Theoretical Study

This paper provides an overview of a theoretical study of an active seat suspension. The principal objective of this study is to improve ride passenger comfort by reducing transmitted seat acceleration. The seat is represented by a non-linear two degree of freedom model. The system is linearized for small perturbations around the equilibrium. To control the dynamic of the seat suspension, an original feedback control command with a reversible electromechanical actuator is achieved. The synthesis of the regulator is realized on the linearized model of the seat suspension and the root locus method is employed. Stability and robustness characteristics have been studied. Numerical simulations in time and frequency domain show the interests of the regulator and its capability to isolate seat passenger.     

Analysis and optimization of air suspension system with independent height and stiffness tuning

Suspensions play a crucial role in vehicle comfort and handling. Different types of suspensions have been proposed to address essential comfort and handling requirements of vehicles. The conventional air suspension systems use a single flexible rubber airbag to transfer the chassis load to the wheels. In this type of air suspensions, the chassis height can be controlled by further inflating the airbag; however, the suspension stiffness is not controllable, and it depends on the airbag volume and chassis load. A recent development in a new air suspension includes two air chambers (rubber airbags), allowing independent ride height and stiffness tuning. In this air suspension system, stiffness and ride height of the vehicle can be simultaneously altered for different driving conditions by controlling the air pressure in the two air chambers. This allows the vehicle’s natural frequency and height to be adjusted according to the load and road conditions. This article discusses optimization of an air suspension design with ride height and stiffness tuning. An analytical formulation is developed to yield the optimum design of the new air suspension system. Experimental results verify the mathematical modeling and show the advantages of the new air suspension system.     

Magneto-rheological suspensions for improving ground vehicle’s ride comfort,stability, and handling

ABSTRACT

A state-of-the-art discussion on the applications of magneto-rheological (MR) suspensions for improving ride comfort, handling, and stability in ground vehicles is discussed for both road and rail applications. A historical perspective on the discovery and engineering development of MR fluids is presented, followed by some of the common methods for modelling their non-Newtonian behaviour. The common modes of the MR fluids are discussed, along with the application of the fluid in valve mode for ground vehicles’ dampers (or shock absorbers). The applications span across nearly all road vehicles, including automobiles, trains, semi-trucks, motorcycles, and even bicycles. For each type of vehicle, the results of some of the past studies is presented briefly, with reference to the originating study. It is discussed that Past experimental and modelling studies have indicated that MR suspensions provide clear advantages for ground vehicles that far surpasses the performance of passive suspension. For rail vehicles, the primary advantage is in terms of increasing the speed at which the onset of hunting occurs, whereas for road vehicles – mainly automobiles – the performance improvements are in terms of a better balance between vehicle ride, handling, and stability. To further elaborate on this point, a single-suspension model is used to develop an index-based approach for studying the compromise that is offered by vehicle suspensions, using the H₂ optimisation approach. Evaluating three indices based on the sprung-mass acceleration, suspension rattlespace, and tyre deflection, it is clearly demonstrated that MR suspensions significantly improve road vehicle’s ride comfort, stability, and handling in comparison with passive suspensions. For rail vehicles, the simulation results indicate that using MR suspensions with an on-off switching control can increase the speed at which the on-set of hunting occurs by as much as 50% to more than 300%.     

Parameters optimisation of a vehicle suspension system using a particle swarm optimisation algorithm

The purpose of this paper is to determine the lumped suspension parameters that minimise a multi-objective function in a vehicle model under different standard PSD road profiles. This optimisation tries to meet the rms vertical acceleration weighted limits for human sensitivity curves from ISO 2631 [ISO-2631: guide for evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration. Europe; 1997] at the driver's seat, the road holding capability and the suspension working space. The vehicle is modelled in the frequency domain using eight degrees of freedom under a random road profile. The particle swarm optimisation and sequential quadratic programming algorithms are used to obtain the suspension optimal parameters in different road profile and vehicle velocity conditions. A sensitivity analysis is performed using the obtained results and, in Class G road profile, the seat damping has the major influence on the minimisation of the multi-objective function. The influence of vehicle parameters in vibration attenuation is analysed and it is concluded that the front suspension stiffness should be less stiff than the rear ones when the driver's seat relative position is located forward the centre of gravity of the car body. Graphs and tables for the behaviour of suspension parameters related to road classes, used algorithms and velocities are presented to illustrate the results. In Class A road profile it was possible to find optimal parameters within the boundaries of the design variables that resulted in acceptable values for the comfort, road holding and suspension working space.     

某中型载货车驾驶室异常共振的试验研究

针对某中型载货车在35km/h~40km/h车速附近出现的驾驶室异常共振问题,进行了道路试验,采集驾驶室内与驾驶室悬置周边位置处的振动加速度信号。通过驾驶员总加权加速度均方根值对载货车的乘坐舒适性进行了客观评价,结果表明驾驶室振动异常,乘坐舒适性能很差;通过悬架、驾驶室悬置传递函数的计算与分析,发现驾驶室后左悬置对车桥传递至驾驶室的低频振动起到极大的放大作用,是驾驶室内产生异常共振的主要原因。更换驾驶室后左悬置后,该车速段内的异常共振问题已消除。