Performance of Low-bandwidth,Semi-active Damping Concepts for Suspension Control

Abstract

Active damping has been shown to offer increased suspension performance in terms of vehicle isolation, suspension packaging, and road-tire contact force. It can even approximate the performance of full state feedback control without requiring the difficult measurement of tire deflection. Many semi-active damping strategies have been introduced to approximate the response of active damping with the modulation of passive damping parameters. These strategies have typically required a relatively high bandwidth for actuator response. This paper investigates the simulation performance and “frequency response” of two concepts in low-bandwidth semi-active suspension control, one that sets a damping force directly and another that sets the damping resistance. The electronically controlled bandwidth of these actuators is approximately an order of magnitude less than other semi-active devices; high frequency control is handled mechanically. A quarter-car model is studied with the controlled damping replacing both passive and active damping of typical control schemes. Both low-bandwidth damping strategies perform remarkably well compared to both active and high-bandwidth, semi-active damping. In certain dynamic performances, the new semi-active strategies outperform active damping and what the author calls “nominal” semi-active damping.     

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.     

Energy Flow in Active Attitude Control Suspensions: A Bond Graph Analysis

Fully active ground vehicle suspensions which completely replace the passive spring and damper elements with a force generating actuator have required a significant amount of power. Alternative systems which retain compliant elements to handle high frequency isolation but include active elements to control the vehicle body attitude have been developed to reduce the power requirements. These suspensions are called “low bandwidth” or “fast load leveler” systems and they often incorporate semi-active dampers which produce high frequency controllable forces with low power requirements. Here, two contrasting attitude control systems are studied to show that actuator power can be significantly reduced if the actuator is used to vary a lever ratio instead of being used to compress the suspension spring directly. Both types of systems have been successfully implemented in prototype form. Bond graphs for idealized versions of the suspensions show clearly the significant differences in actuator power and energy requirements even though the abstract mathematical structures of the two systems are remarkably similar. Computer simulations confirm the analytical results.     

Experimental Verification of Resistance Control, Semi-Active Damping

Electronically controlled vehicle suspensions offer substantial improvements in performance over conventional, passive suspensions but with the price of power, complexity, and actuating bandwidth. Low-bandwidth, semi-active damping addresses the problems of power and bandwidth by using low power modulation of controllable dampers at the frequency of the isolated mass. Resistance controlled, semi-active damping is experimentally verified to better sprung mass isolation while reducing suspension stroke, something that a passive system cannot do. It is also shown to compare reasonably well with computer simulation results. The experimental implementation is a 1/30 scale, two degree-of-freedom test bed that represents the standard quarter vehicle model.     

Semi-Active Suspension with Preview Using a Frequency-Shaped Performance Index

The objective of this study is to develop a control law for a semi-active suspension for the purpose of ride quality improvement. The semi-active control law is determined by reproducing the control force of an optimally controlled active suspension while suppressing its damping coefficient variation. The performance index of the optimal control for the active suspension is modified to include frequency-shaping by use of Parseval's theorem, which allows us to de-emphasize the effects of particular variables over specific frequency bands.

Through the numerical simulations, it was found that the semi-active suspension may reduce the vertical acceleration of the driver's seat and the sprung mass motions significantly. The road-holding and tire deflections were not affected much.     

Semi-Active Suspension with Preview Using a Frequency-Shaped Performance Index

SUMMARY

The objective of this study is to develop a control law for a semi-active suspension for the purpose of ride quality improvement. The semi-active control law is determined by reproducing the control force of an optimally controlled active suspension while suppressing its damping coefficient variation. The performance index of the optimal control for the active suspension is modified to include frequency-shaping by use of Parseval's theorem, which allows us to de-emphasize the effects of particular variables over specific frequency bands.

Through the numerical simulations, it was found that the semi-active suspension may reduce the vertical acceleration of the driver's seat and the sprung mass motions significantly. The road-holding and tire deflections were not affected much.     

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.     

Application of Learning Automata to Controller Design in Slow-Active Automobile Suspensions

This study considers a new design methodology in the context of active vehicle suspension control. The approach combines concepts from Stochastic Optimal Control with those of Learning Automata. A learning automaton effectively learns optimal control on-line in the vehicle, in an appropriate stochastic “test-track” environment. For practical application, the overwhelming advantage of this approach is that no explicit modelling is required, and considerable time savings may be expected in system development. This simulation study considers the on-line learning of optimal control in a low-bandwidth active suspension system, where control feedback is confined to a body-mounted accelerometer at each corner of the vehicle. It is shown that learning can successfully take place under a range of conditions, including the case when there is substantial transducer noise. The performance of the resulting control system is shown to depend heavily on the nature of the learning environment.     

Application of Nonlinear Control Theory to Electronically Controlled Suspensions

This paper illustrates the use of nonlinear control theory for designing electro-hydraulic active suspensions. A nonlinear, “sliding” control law is developed and compared with the linear control of a quarter-car active suspension system acting under the effects of coulomb friction. A comparison will also be made with a passive quarter-car suspension system. Simulation and experimental results show that nonlinear control performs better than PID control and improves the ride quality compared to a passive suspension.     

半主动悬架的滑模变结构控制

针对带有电流变液智能阻尼器的半主动汽车悬架模型,运用滑模变结构方法设计了半主动悬架滑模控制器。根据滑模运动方程稳定的Hurwitz判据选择滑模面系数,用指数趋近率改善滑模运动段的动态品质并进一步确定了半主动悬架的实时控制阻尼力。对多种激励信号下隔振质量的响应及半主动悬架系统在系统参数摄动下的鲁棒特性进行了仿真分析。结果表明:变结构控制下半主动悬架系统的隔振效果要远好于最优被动系统,而且对外界扰动有一定的适应性,对系统参数摄动也具有很强的鲁棒性。     

汽车磁流变非线性悬架模糊控制

建立了整车悬架系统的三维模型,根据试验数据得出了前后悬架弹簧的非线性特性曲线。前后悬架减振器均采用磁流变减振器,采用Bouc-Wen参数化模型为其阻尼力模型。采用模糊控制算法为整车半主动控制算法,采用ADAMS和Matlab联合对整车平顺性进行仿真。结果表明,采用模糊控制算法控制磁流变非线性悬架可提高整车的平顺性。     

State of the art survey: active and semi-active suspension control

This survey paper aims to provide some insight into the design of suspension control system within the context of existing literature and share observations on current hardware implementation of active and semi-active suspension systems. It reviews the performance envelop of active, semi-active, and passive suspensions with a focus on linear quadratic-based optimisation including a specific example. The paper further discusses various design aspects including other design techniques, the decoupling of load and road disturbances, the decoupling of pitch and heave modes, the use of an inerter as an additional design element, and the application of preview. Various production and near production suspension systems were examined and described according to the features they offer, including self-levelling, variable damping, variable geometry, and anti-roll damping and stiffness. The lessons learned from these analytical insights and related hardware implementations are valuable and can be applied towards future active or semi-active suspension design.     

基于闭环力反馈原理的非线性液压主动阻尼悬架模型的研究及优化设计

本文在理论上建立了一套基于主动力反馈原理的新型主动阻尼悬架的设计和优化方法。首先提出了该主动阻尼悬架的实现模型，该模型是在传统的液力减振器的基础上，应用半主动控制的思想，结合力反馈的原理建立起来的内部液压反馈阻尼网络模型。理论优化分析和计算机仿真表明，通过该液阻网络模型，即可以实现电控的主动阻尼悬架的功能，它可以根据汽车行驶路况的好坏，自适应地调节悬架阻尼大小以实现主动阻尼悬架的最优控制。     

Generalized magnetorheological (MR) damper model and its application in semi-active control of vehicle suspension system

In this paper, analytical characterization of the magneto-rheological (MR) damper is done using a new modified algebraic model. Algebraic model is also more preferable because of its low computational expenses compared to differential Bouc-Wen’s model which is highly computationally demanding. This model along with the obtained model parameters is used as a semi-active suspension device in a quarter car model and the stationary response of the vehicle traversing on a rough road is obtained. The control part consists of two nested controllers. One of them is the system controller which generates the desired damping force and the other is the damper controller which adjusts the voltage level to MR damper so as to track the desired damping force. For the system controller a model reference skyhook Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is used and for the damper controller a continuous state algorithm is built to determine the input voltage so as to gain the desired damping force. The analytical model is subsequently used in the quarter car vehicle model and the vehicular responses are studied. A simulation study is performed to prove the effectiveness and robustness of the semi-active control approach. Results show that the semi-active controller can achieve compatible performance as that of active suspension controller except for a little deterioration.     

Skyhook and H8 Control of Semi-active Suspensions: Some Practical Aspects

Summary This paper deals with single-wheel suspension car model. We aim to prove the benefits of controlled semi-active suspensions compared to passive ones. The contribution relies on H 8 control design to improve comfort and road holding of the car under industrial specifications, and on control validation through simulation on an exact nonlinear model of the suspension. Note that we define semi-active suspensions as control systems incorporating a parallel spring and an electronically controlled damper. However, the type of damper used in automotive industry can only dissipate energy. No additional force can be generated using external energy. The control issue is then to change, in an accurate way, the damping (friction) coefficient in real-time. This is what we call semi-active suspension. For this purpose, two control methodologies, H 8 and Skyhook control approaches, are developed, using a linear model of the suspension, and compared in terms of performances using industrial specifications. The performance analysis is done using the control-oriented linear model first, and then using an exact nonlinear model of the suspension incorporating the nonlinear characteristics of the suspension spring and damper.     

Skyhook and H8 Control of Semi-active Suspensions: Some Practical Aspects

Summary This paper deals with single-wheel suspension car model. We aim to prove the benefits of controlled semi-active suspensions compared to passive ones. The contribution relies on H 8 control design to improve comfort and road holding of the car under industrial specifications, and on control validation through simulation on an exact nonlinear model of the suspension. Note that we define semi-active suspensions as control systems incorporating a parallel spring and an electronically controlled damper. However, the type of damper used in automotive industry can only dissipate energy. No additional force can be generated using external energy. The control issue is then to change, in an accurate way, the damping (friction) coefficient in real-time. This is what we call semi-active suspension. For this purpose, two control methodologies, H 8 and Skyhook control approaches, are developed, using a linear model of the suspension, and compared in terms of performances using industrial specifications. The performance analysis is done using the control-oriented linear model first, and then using an exact nonlinear model of the suspension incorporating the nonlinear characteristics of the suspension spring and damper.     

电动赛车半主动悬架系统仿真及实现

应用汽车动力学理论,以1/4汽车悬架模型为研究对象,用调节减振器的阻尼系数法,建立了二自由度电动赛车的半主动悬架最优控制模型,利用编制的路面谱作为激励输入进行了仿真,并与被动悬架性能进行了对比。结果表明,半主动悬架在车身垂直振动加速度、悬架动行程、轮胎形变量的改善度分别为31.3%、21.4%、12.6%,使车身的振动被控制在某个范围之内,大大提高电动赛车在行驶过程中的平顺性。     

Comparison between different sets of suspension parameters and introduction of new modified skyhook control strategy incorporating varying road condition

This study examines the uncertainties in modelling a quarter car suspension system caused by the effect of different sets of suspension parameters of a corresponding mathematical model. To overcome this problem, 11 sets of identified parameters of a suspension system have been compared, taken from the most recent published work. From this investigation, a set of parameters were chosen which showed a better performance than others in respect of peak amplitude and settling time. These chosen parameters were then used to investigate the performance of a new modified continuous skyhook control strategy with adaptive gain that dictates the vehicle's semi-active suspension system. The proposed system first captures the road profile input over a certain period. Then it calculates the best possible value of the skyhook gain (SG) for the subsequent process. Meanwhile the system is controlled according to the new modified skyhook control law using an initial or previous value of the SG. In this study, the proposed suspension system is compared with passive and other recently reported skyhook controlled semi-active suspension systems. Its performances have been evaluated in terms of ride comfort and road handling performance. The model has been validated in accordance with the international standards of admissible acceleration levels ISO2631 and human vibration perception.     

汽车可控悬架系统的研究进展

总结了汽车可控悬架的发展状况,详细阐述了半主动悬架、主动悬架等的结构形式及国内外最新研究成果,提出了新型可能量再生的可切换的主动/半主动悬架结构方案,并进行了台架试验。评价了用于可控悬架的主要控制策略,指出应着重研究非线性控制与智能控制方法的综合运用,研究和开发可能量回收的汽车智能悬架,重点包含制动、转向、可控悬架的底盘集成控制。     

简支箱梁桥地震反应半主动控制分析

为提高某简支梁桥的抗震能力,采取适当的减震控制措施能够有效地减小桥梁的地震反应。建立了某简支箱梁桥的有限元模型,将板式橡胶支座与磁流变阻尼器组合使用,在桥梁的支座和伸缩缝处共设置8组磁流变阻尼器,分析了不同地震动输入下的简支箱梁桥主动控制、半主动控制和被动控制的减震效果。结果表明,半主动控制对简支梁桥的减震效果非常显著,并且能够很好地接近主动控制的减震效果。半主动控制对于桥梁整体地震反应的减震效果优于始终提供最大阻尼力的被动控制。这为半主动控制阻尼器在简支梁桥抗震中的实际应用提供了理论上的指导。