An Analytical and Experimental Investigation of the Driver-Seat-Suspension System

SUMMARY

Vertical seat-suspension systems are characterized by a generalized two- degree-of-freedom model incorporating nonlinearities due to shock absorber damping, linkage friction and bump stops. The analytical model is validated using the results obtained from laboratory tests performed under sinusoidal excitations in the 0.5-8.0 Hz frequency range. Human body models of varying complexities, derived from the mechanical impedance data, are discussed and integrated to the nonlinear seat-suspension model to derive a coupled driver- seat-suspension model. Nonlinear analytical models are expressed by their linear equivalent models using a local equivalent linearization technique based on energy similarity. The vibration attenuation performance characteristics of the seat-suspension and driver-seat-suspension models are investigated for deterministic and random cab floor excitations. The results of the study revealed that the seated human body contributes considerably to the overall ride performance.     

双横臂-螺旋弹簧悬架受力及刚度阻尼特性非线性分析

运用虚功原理导出了悬架受力、弹簧刚度与悬架刚度之间、阻尼器参数与系统阻尼之间的非线性函数关系。开发了简单实用的双横臂-螺旋弹簧独立悬架仿真分析与设计软件,应用于某微型电动汽车的悬架系统设计。利用ADAMS建立双横臂悬架模型,通过仿真验证了公式及其结论的正确性。     

Study on dynamic characteristic analysis of air spring with auxiliary chamber

The characteristics of air springs, such as the effects of bellows and those of heat transfer on spring constant and damping factor, have been studied. However, auxiliary chambers and pipes are required in addition to air springs, to vary spring constant in the case of spring rate change by electronically controlled air suspension systems of a vehicle. Few reports have dealt with the effects of auxiliary chambers and pipes. In our study, the relation between vibration frequency and spring reaction has been investigated to clarify the effects of pipes on dynamic spring constant. Our proposed model has proved effective in understanding the phenomena.     

Sensitivity analysis and optimisation of suspension bushing using Taguchi method and grey relational analysis

In this paper, a novel method is presented for investigating suspension bushing based on mechanical properties of the bushing, their effective directions, spring stiffness and damping coefficient of bushing. The vehicle vibration model and suspension geometry parameters are used to optimise the vehicle suspension based on multi-body dynamics simulation (ADAMS/CAR) initially. Several experiment tests based on ISO 4128 and ISO 7401 have been performed in one of main Iranian automaker (SAIPA) in order to verify the ADAMS/CAR model. The grey relational analysis based on using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array is used to obtain the optimum suspension. Then the bushing characteristics are optimised considering the indicated method. This method considers a combination of ride comfort and handling qualities of vehicle as objective functions simultaneously. The results of optimum suspension are compared with typical Renault Logan which declares the accuracy and efficiency of this method in optimising suspension bushing.     

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。     

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.     

一种新型农用车辆减震座椅的设计

随着人们对人体健康逐渐重视,对农用车辆的舒适度进行改进显得迫不及待。本文充分考虑了振动幅度和动挠度两个方面,设计一种新型农用车辆减震座椅,采用阻尼可调减震器代替现在农用车辆广泛使用的一般阻尼不可调减震器,将单刚度弹簧改换成双螺旋弹簧,从而改善座椅系统的动态振动特性。     

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。     

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.     

汽车非线性半主动悬架的模糊神经网络控制

考虑磁流变减振器阻尼力和悬架弹性元件非线性特性，建立车辆6自由度的半主动悬架非线性动力学模型。提出了一种基于模糊神经网络系统结构的模型参考自适应控制方法来研究汽车半主动悬架的非线性控制问题，并考虑半车模型前后悬架的输入时滞，对其进行了仿真研究。研究结果表明：运用模糊神经网络非线性控制方法能够使人体和车身垂直加速度、俯仰角加速度都得到很大的衰减，证实这种模糊神经网络控制方法可大大减少路面对车身的振动冲击，提高汽车行驶平顺性。     

汽车减震器变硬现象原因分析

汽车减震器通过长时间的使用以后,减震器变软或变硬。本文件探讨了减振器硬度的原因:在进行耐久性测试之后,从减振器油中提取减振器油,以分析减振油制剂性能的变化。为了加速减振车架和车身的振动,以提高车辆的可读性("舒适性"),在大多数车辆的悬挂系统内装有减震器的车辆减震器也称作"悬挂",弹簧和减震器的化合物,缓冲器不用来承受车身的重量,但是,当弹簧吸收弹簧时,可以容纳冲击和吸收表面冲击的能量。反弹弹簧用于缓冲冲击,将"高能量二次冲击"转换为"低能量多次冲击",而减震器则逐渐减少"多重低能量冲击"。     

轿车悬架最优减振特性的研究

本文提出了轿车悬架最优减振特性的新概念,建立了上海桑塔纳轿车的随机振动模型,模型中考虑了车身质心垂直振动及侧倾与纵倾,还考虑了横向稳定杆的作用,利用随机振动理论和动态优化理论寻求该车的最优减振特性曲线和准最优减振特性曲线的表达式,为今后设计主动式悬架的调节特性提供了依据。     

Neuro-Fuzzy Control of a Tracked Vehicle Featuring Semi-Active Electro-Rheological Suspension Units

This paper presents vibration control of a tracked vehicle installed with electro-rheological suspension units (ERSU). As a first step, an in-arm type ERSU is designed, and its spring and damping characteristics are evaluated with respect to the intensity of electric fields. Subsequently, a 16 degree-of-freedom model for a tracked vehicle equipped with the proposed ERSU is established followed by the formulation of a neuro-fuzzy controller. This controller takes account for both ride quality and steering stability by adopting a weighting parameter between two performance requirements. The parameter is appropriately determined by employing a fuzzy algorithm associated with two fuzzy variables: the vertical speed of the body and the rotational angular speed of the wheel. Control performances to isolate unwanted vibration from bump and random road excitations are evaluated through computer simulations. In addition, maximum speed of the vehicle with 6 Watt power absorption is investigated with respect to the road roughness.     

Neuro-Fuzzy Control of a Tracked Vehicle Featuring Semi-Active Electro-Rheological Suspension Units

This paper presents vibration control of a tracked vehicle installed with electro-rheological suspension units (ERSU). As a first step, an in-arm type ERSU is designed, and its spring and damping characteristics are evaluated with respect to the intensity of electric fields. Subsequently, a 16 degree-of-freedom model for a tracked vehicle equipped with the proposed ERSU is established followed by the formulation of a neuro-fuzzy controller. This controller takes account for both ride quality and steering stability by adopting a weighting parameter between two performance requirements. The parameter is appropriately determined by employing a fuzzy algorithm associated with two fuzzy variables: the vertical speed of the body and the rotational angular speed of the wheel. Control performances to isolate unwanted vibration from bump and random road excitations are evaluated through computer simulations. In addition, maximum speed of the vehicle with 6 Watt power absorption is investigated with respect to the road roughness.     

Fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller for an air spring active suspension

A fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller for an air spring active suspension system is developed. Due to nonlinearity, preload-dependent spring force and parameter uncertainty in the air spring, it is difficult to control the suspension system. To achieve the desired performance, a fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller (FASMC) is designed to improve the passenger comfort and the manipulability of the vehicle. The fuzzy adaptive system handles the nonlinearity and uncertainty of the air suspension. A normal linear suspension model with an optimal state feedback control is designed as the reference model. The simulation results show that this control scheme more effectively and robustly isolates vibrations of the vehicle body than the conventional sliding mode controller (CSMC).     

Biodynamic responses of seated pregnant subjects exposed to vertical vibrations in driving conditions

A pregnant woman's body is a very sophisticated dynamic system that is sensitive to whole-body vibrations in a sitting posture. While much effort has been devoted to vibration effects on non-pregnant seated persons, little research has been devoted to the biodynamic responses of seated pregnant women exposed to vertical vibrations, especially in driving conditions. In this study a thorough survey of lumped-parameter models for non-pregnant seated persons is implemented. According to the literature the mathematical models adequate for representing the increase in mass due to pregnancy are proposed and evaluated systematically. On the basis of an analytical study and experimental validation, the six-degree-of-freedom model modified from the non-linear model proposed by Muksian and Nash is recommended. In addition, the recommended pregnant model is further integrated with two-dimensional half-car and three-dimensional full-car models to assess the responses of pregnant drivers or passengers exposed to vertical vibrations due to road unevenness. It is believed that the study presented in this report provides a profound understanding of biodynamic responses of seated pregnant women and that it may offer vehicle engineers a good reference in the design of vehicle suspension systems.     

Biodynamic responses of seated pregnant subjects exposed to vertical vibrations in driving conditions

A pregnant woman's body is a very sophisticated dynamic system that is sensitive to whole-body vibrations in a sitting posture. While much effort has been devoted to vibration effects on non-pregnant seated persons, little research has been devoted to the biodynamic responses of seated pregnant women exposed to vertical vibrations, especially in driving conditions. In this study a thorough survey of lumped-parameter models for non-pregnant seated persons is implemented. According to the literature the mathematical models adequate for representing the increase in mass due to pregnancy are proposed and evaluated systematically. On the basis of an analytical study and experimental validation, the six-degree-of-freedom model modified from the non-linear model proposed by Muksian and Nash is recommended. In addition, the recommended pregnant model is further integrated with two-dimensional half-car and three-dimensional full-car models to assess the responses of pregnant drivers or passengers exposed to vertical vibrations due to road unevenness. It is believed that the study presented in this report provides a profound understanding of biodynamic responses of seated pregnant women and that it may offer vehicle engineers a good reference in the design of vehicle suspension systems.     

键合图理论在汽车纵向角振动主动控制中的应用

本文应用键合图理论建立了汽车5自由度振动系统的键图模型并推导出状态方程，以垂直振动、纵向角振动能量最小和控制能量最小为目标函数，利用状态反馈原理代化出前悬架减振器的最佳控制力，对汽车驶过三角形单凸起时的振动响应进行了计算机仿真分析。结果表明，具有主动控制悬架的汽车，其纵向角振动得到明显的衰减。     

Analysis of a Passive Sequential Hydraulic Damper for Vehicle Suspension

Vibration isolation characteristics of a sequential hydraulic damper, employing external pressure relief valves, are investigated via analytical means. The sequential hydraulic damper is modelled as a nonlinear dynamical system incorporating nonlinearities due to orifice flows, gas spring and pressure relief mechanisms. The damping characteristics of the sequential hydraulic damper, are compared to those of a constant orifice and a semi-active sequential damper, and discussed in view of their vibration isolation performance. It is established that the performance characteristics of the sequential hydraulic damper are similar to that of a semi-active sequential damper. A tuning methodology to achieve appropriate control of the resonant peak and effective vibration isolation is proposed. The shock and vibration isolation performance of the vehicle model employing a sequential damper are evaluated and compared to those of the vehicle model employing a constant orifice hydraulic damper. It is concluded that the vehicle ride performance can be improved considerably using an adequately tuned sequential damper.     

汽车空气悬架的现状展趋势

在相同的载荷作用下，空气弹簧可以得到比钢板弹簧低得多的振动频率，从而提高行驶平中性；空气弹簧具有变刚度特性，固有频率可以根据需要而适当地改变，由于其具有优良的性质，使得空气悬架在汽车悬架系统中的应用越来越广泛，在国外已渐渐发展成为标准装备，中对空气悬架的现状及发展趋势进行了阐述，同时分析了空气悬架的结构和工作原理，空气弹簧的特性及其在整车中的布置方式。