Achieving anti-roll bar effect through air management in commercial vehicle pneumatic suspensions

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces the concept of managing air in commercial vehicle suspensions for reducing body roll. A conventional pneumatic suspension is re-designed to include higher-flow air hoses and dual levelling valves for improving the dynamic response of the suspension to the body roll, which commonly happens at relatively low frequencies. The improved air management allows air to get from the air tank to the airsprings quicker, and also changes the side-to-side suspension air pressure such that the suspension forces can more readily level the vehicle body, much in the same manner as an anti-roll bar (ARB). The results of a multi-domain simulation study in AMESim and TruckSim indicate that the proposed suspension configuration is capable of providing balanced airflow to the truck’s drive-axle suspensions, resulting in balanced suspension forces in response to single lane change and steady-state cornering steering maneuvers. The simulation results further indicate that a truck equipped with the reconfigured suspension experiences a uniform dynamic load sharing, smoother body motion (less roll angle), and improved handling and stability during steering maneuvers commonly occurring in commercial trucks during their intended use.     

Frequency Response Analysis of Canadian Logging Trucks

SUMMARY

This paper examines the frequency responses often logging truck configurations currently operating in the interior of British Columbia in Canada. The work is an extension of a previous study conducted at the National Research Council (NRC) in 1990. The previous study presented an extensive analysts of the directional responses and frequency responses of four Canadian log-hauling truck configurations; a tractor/pole trailer, a tractor/triaxle trailer, a tractor/quadaxle trailer (with a single load), and a tractor/single-axle-jeep/pole trailer. In the current study, the frequency responses of these four configurations are compared with those of six more log-hauling truck configurations; a tractor/ tandem-axle-jeep/pole trailer, a doglogger, a double doglogger, a tractor/quadaxle trailer (with a dual load), a tractor/jeep/triaxle trailer, and a tractor/jeep/quadaxle trailer. The current study makes use of three models developed by NRC in the previous study, and a new model developed at NRC in cooperation with the University of Victoria.

The frequency response method has been applied in this study to predict the lateral acceleration at the centre of gravity of each articulated vehicle unit, and the rearward amplification ratio. The logging truck simulation results have been compared with corresponding results, obtained using UMTRI's simplified models, for three conventional highway vehicles; a tractor/semitrailer, a B-train, and an A-train. The comparison provides a useful indication of the differences between the behaviours of logging trucks and conventional highway trucks in their shared environment.     

Kinematic and dynamic analysis of a heavy truck with individual front suspension

The main focus of this work is on the characteristics of a commercial vehicle with individual front suspension (IFS). Both kinematic and dynamic properties of the vehicle are investigated through simulations and analytical expressions. Moreover, employing the model of the tractor semitrailer combination, the study presents the results of comparison between the trucks with IFS and rigid front axle with respect to comfort and handling. This is done by analysing the responses of the vehicles to different road and steering inputs. The obtained results show enhanced comfort and steering feeling for the truck with IFS.     

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.     

基于整车多体动力学分析的悬架构件动应力计算

以AD250铰接式自卸车为应用实例,在建立整车刚柔耦合多体动力学模型的基础上,提出把悬架传力构件作为柔性体置于整车模型中,同时采用模态综合法计算悬架的动应力。指出了AD250铰接式自卸车悬架各构件的应力最大部位及发生时刻并评价了其动强度,为进一步的结构优化和疲劳分析奠定了基础。     

Effect of System Nonlinearities on Locomotive Bogie Hunting Stability

This paper presents the effect of system parameters on hunting of a rail vehicle with nonlinear yaw dampers and wheel-rail interface. This study is intended to complement earlier studies by True et al. where they investigated the effect of nonlinearities stemming from creep-creep force saturation and wheel/rail contact forces. The rail vehicle is represented by a two-axle truck (bogie) that includes the dynamics of the wheelsets and the truck frame. The numerical simulation results show that yaw damping can have a mixed effect on the hunting critical speed. In some ranges, increasing damping can actually lower the critical speed, unlike the results commonly obtained from a linear model. Flange contact nonlinearities can also have a significant effect on the hunting behavior. Large lateral stiffness of the rail can increase lateral force to vertical force (L/V) ratio during hunting. Increasing the gauge clearance, however, can have an opposite effect. The effect of a variety of other parameters, such as the primary suspension yaw and lateral stiffness, primary suspension lateral damping, wheelset mass, and truck frame mass, are summarized in a table.     

汽车ABS液压调节器建模与分析

汽车ABS液压调节器是ABS的执行机构,它的性能好坏直接影响着汽车制动效能。为研究和评价ABS液压调节器性能,文章在分析调节器的组成和工作原理的基础上,基于AMESim建立了包括液压调节器、制动主缸及制动轮缸的模型,对影响调节器动态响应特性的制动液和控制阀(增、减压阀)结构因素进行了仿真分析;并针对某型号调节器进行了台架试验。试验结果表明,基于AMESim的汽车ABS液压调节器仿真结果与试验结果基本吻合。AMESim建模为调节器的研究提供了一种行之有效的方法。     

半挂汽车列车高速公路弯道下坡路段运行安全研究（双语出版）

为提升半挂汽车列车在高速公路弯道下坡路段的运行安全，采用TruckSim仿真软件，构建了车辆模型、道路模型和驾驶人动力学仿真模型；基于蒙特卡罗可靠性分析法，分别建立了半挂汽车列车发生侧滑失效、侧翻失效、折叠失效和系统失效的功能函数，并选取设计速度80 km·h^-1的高速公路为研究路段，通过进行大量车辆动力学仿真试验，对不同圆曲线半径、纵坡坡度、路面附着系数、车速和车辆总质量对半挂汽车列车的运行安全的影响进行了数值分析。研究结果表明：半挂汽车列车发生侧滑和侧翻的概率随着圆曲线半径的增加而显著降低，在一般最小半径400 m的情况下，半挂汽车列车发生侧滑失效和侧翻失效的概率趋近于0；随着下坡坡度的增加，半挂汽车列车发生侧滑失效和侧翻失效的概率基本呈线性增长趋势；车速对于半挂汽车列车运行安全的影响尤为显著，当车速均值由60 km·h^-1增加到90 km·h^-1时，发生侧滑失效和侧翻失效的概率分别增加了634倍和336倍；车辆总质量的增加对半挂汽车列车侧翻有显著影响；在路面附着系数较低的条件下，半挂汽车列车的主要事故形态为侧滑和折叠，在路面附着系数较高的情况下，半挂汽车列车的主要事故形态为侧翻。因此，在道路设计中，应避免极限最小半径与陡坡组合，严格限速和限载可确保半挂汽车列车的运行安全性能。     

Multiphysic modelling of railway vehicles equipped with pneumatic suspensions

This article presents a multidisciplinary approach of railway pneumatic suspension modelling: both multibody and pneumatic aspects are taken into account. The work aims at obtaining a realistic model of the secondary suspension and coupling it with a multibody model of a train. Various components of the pneumatic circuit such as bellows, tanks, pipes and valves are taken into account. The article focuses on the bellow–pipe–tank subsystem for which several modelling approaches are presented and compared. Differences between differential and algebraic models are highlighted, and an application-dependent choice between them is suggested. A complete model of the pneumatic circuit is then obtained and coupled with a multibody model of the train. As a result, the behaviour of a suburban train equipped with a pneumatic secondary suspension is analysed, in particular undesired oscillating motions which affect the comfort. Topological modifications and improvements of the suspension are also investigated and discussed.     

Multiphysic modelling of railway vehicles equipped with pneumatic suspensions

This article presents a multidisciplinary approach of railway pneumatic suspension modelling: both multibody and pneumatic aspects are taken into account. The work aims at obtaining a realistic model of the secondary suspension and coupling it with a multibody model of a train. Various components of the pneumatic circuit such as bellows, tanks, pipes and valves are taken into account. The article focuses on the bellow-pipe-tank subsystem for which several modelling approaches are presented and compared. Differences between differential and algebraic models are highlighted, and an application-dependent choice between them is suggested. A complete model of the pneumatic circuit is then obtained and coupled with a multibody model of the train. As a result, the behaviour of a suburban train equipped with a pneumatic secondary suspension is analysed, in particular undesired oscillating motions which affect the comfort. Topological modifications and improvements of the suspension are also investigated and discussed.     

采用多体系统动力学的平衡悬架牵引车平顺性研究

采用多体系统动力学理论及相应软件ADAMS，对具有平衡悬架的3轴牵引车平顺性进行研究。建立了其多体系统动力学模型，并经过二次开发形成一套能够进行参数化自动建模的软件系统。对仿真模型进行时域、频域的仿真分析，并研究平衡悬架的一些主要设计参数对平顺性的影响。     

四级阻尼可调式液压互联悬架系统性能研究

提出了一种新型四级阻尼可调式液压互联悬架 （FDAHIS） 系统。FDAHIS系统在被动液压互联悬架系统的阻尼阀上并联了两个常通孔面积不同的电磁开关阀,通过反馈控制策略控制电磁阀开闭状态,调节系统液压流量,从而实现阻尼四级可调。为了研究该系统性能,建立FDAHIS系统模型和七自由度整车模型。通过系统单元台架试验对该模型进行了验证。整车仿真结果表明,与被动的液压互联悬架 （HIS） 系统相比,FDAHIS系统在车辆行驶平顺性和抗俯仰性能方面表现更佳。     

Farm tractor models for research and development purposes

The modelling problems related to the simulation of the dynamics of farm tractors are dealt with. The aim is to develop reliable mathematical models to speed-up the research and development activities in which farm tractors and their sub-systems (driveline, steering and suspension system, etc.) are to be conceived and designed. Two models of farm tractors have been developed. The first model is based on a proprietary software, able to quickly simulate the motion of a vehicle on smooth or rough soil. The second model has been developed by the commercial software ADAMS/Car^®, which allows to model complicated transmission and suspension systems. In both of the two models, the tyres, the transmission system, the suspension system, the steering system, the engine and the body inertia are carefully described mathematically. Both of the two models are defined in a parametric way. Particular attention has been devoted to the measurements of the tyre characteristic and of the inertia parameters of the farm tractor body. For the measurement of tyre characteristics, a new instrumented wheel hub has been used. The accurate measurement of both the tyre characteristic and body inertia tensor has allowed a good agreement between measured and computed time histories referring to a number of validation manoeuvres performed either on-road or off-road. The derived farm tractor models could simulate the working conditions of a generic farm tractor while hauling a plough or while running at a relatively high speed on a rough soil or while steering on a sloped, soft surface.     

Implementation and validation of a three degrees of freedom steering-system model in a full vehicle model

This paper describes the coupling between a three degrees of freedom steering-system model and a multi-body truck model. The steering-system model includes the king-pin geometry to provide the correct feedback torque from the road to the steering-system. The steering-system model is combined with a validated tractor semi-trailer model. An instrumented tractor semi-trailer has been tested on a proving ground and the steering-wheel torque, pitman-arm angle, king-pin angles and drag-link force have been measured during steady-state cornering, a step steer input and a sinusoidal steering input. It is shown that the steering-system model is able to accurately predict the steering-wheel torque for all tests and the vehicle model is accurate for vehicle motions up to a frequency where the lateral acceleration gain is minimum. Even though the vehicle response is not accurate above this frequency, the steering-wheel torque is still represented accurately.     

道路清障车的制动过程分析

建立了道路清障车拖带车辆制动工况力学模型，绘制了道路清障车拖带车辆行驶时的制动器制动力分配曲线Ｉ，分析了被牵引车结构参数的改变对制动过程的影响，并建议对这种轴荷变化的道路清障车应安装感载阀，以提高制动稳定性。     

An investigation of a semiactive suspension for a fork lift truck

This paper investigates the feasibility of a semiactive suspension of the cabin of a fork lift truck as a way of reducing the effect of harmful vibrations on the health of truck drivers. A suspension based on MR fluid dampers has been designed and implemented on an actual vehicle and heuristic control strategy has been developed, which preserves the filtering properties of the passive suspension when the vehicle moves in a straight line with a constant velocity and suppresses the large amplitude pitch and roll motion during turns and braking. Field tests have demonstrated a substantial comfort improvement with respect to the passive suspension, during the braking and turning phases, without any noticeable detrimental effects.     

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。     

基于位移反求加载法的高精度皮卡车架疲劳开发与验证

车架是皮卡的重要总成,由于承受各种载荷冲击,所以容易产生开裂问题影响使用寿命。皮卡车架的疲劳预测选择了精度较高的基于位移反求加载法,结合试验场采集载荷谱数据与皮卡整车多体动力学模型,以相关性较高的整车内部响应信号(悬架位移信号、整车轴头Z向加速度信号、转向拉杆力标定信号)为目标信号,迭代反求整车等效位移激励信号,进而分解获取车架边界载荷谱,最后基于Miner线性累积损伤理论对皮卡车架进行疲劳分析、对标及优化,优化后的实车通过台架试验验证。     

A Pitch-Plane Model of a Vehicle with Controlled Suspension

A vehicle model incorporating front and rear wheel suspensions and seat suspension is presented. The suspension control includes algorithms to provide both dynamic and steady state (levelling) control. Vehicle response to (a) vertical inputs due to ground disturbances at the wheels and (b) longitudinal inputs due to the inertial forces during braking and accelerating, are investigated. It is shown that the static (self-levelling) control causes a slight deterioration in dynamic performance. The active ride control produces improvements of ride comfort under dynamic conditions compared to an equivalent passively suspended vehicle. In steady state the proposed control eliminates the error heave of the body caused by tilting of the vehicle with active suspension.