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

From the theoretical study presented in [1], we investigate the experimental feasibility of the active seat suspension to improve ride comfort. The prototype of the reversible electromechanical actuator used in the active seat suspension is presented. First, the kinematic guide with a vertical auto-levelling system is described. Second, the electromechamical actuator and the power drive transmission are presented. It is noticed that the prototype design is achieved with a systemic approach taking into account the industrial constraints. Then, the laboratory experimental setup is described. Several tests are performed on the prototype for model validation and performance purposes. Correct force feedback control in the actuator is verified. The real performances of the active seat suspension on a prototype is investigated for different pertubation inputs. Experimental results clearly show the efficiency of the active seat suspension to improve passenger comfort and demonstrate its feasability.     

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.     

Power Requirement of Active Vibration Control Systems

The paper deals with the theoretical estimation of the minimal power requirement, necessary for the operation of the active vibration control system (AVCS), connected with a passive one. It is assumed this compound system is used for the vibration control purposes in the heavy vehicle driver's seats. The systems considered in the paper are of two kinds. In the first case the electro-hydraulic actuator of the AVCS is situated in series to the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension. The second system under consideration is formed by parallel connection of electro-pneumatic actuator and the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension, which is a mechanical model of a real air spring with controlled in-flow and out-flow of the air. The comparison of results for both compound systems shows markedly higher power consumption of the serial system. The theoretical results are in acceptable agreement with the experimental data.     

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.     

Power Requirement of Active Vibration Control Systems

SUMMARY

The paper deals with the theoretical estimation of the minimal power requirement, necessary for the operation of the active vibration control system (AVCS), connected with a passive one. It is assumed this compound system is used for the vibration control purposes in the heavy vehicle driver's seats. The systems considered in the paper are of two kinds. In the first case the electro-hydraulic actuator of the AVCS is situated in series to the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension. The second system under consideration is formed by parallel connection of electro-pneumatic actuator and the spring-damper combination of the seat suspension, which is a mechanical model of a real air spring with controlled in-flow and out-flow of the air. The comparison of results for both compound systems shows markedly higher power consumption of the serial system. The theoretical results are in acceptable agreement with the experimental data.     

电磁主动悬架的设计及仿真研究

基于电磁学原理,利用电磁铁作为主动悬架的作动器,构造出电磁作动器的一般结构。在1/4汽车悬架的基础上,建立了电磁主动悬架的非线性模型,并应用现代控制理论设计了该模型的次优控制器,对该模型进行分析、仿真。模拟结果表明,电磁悬架能够实现一般主动悬架的功能,满足车辆平顺性的要求,可以适用于汽车的悬架系统。     

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.     

馈能式电动悬架的原理与试验研究

提出了一种新型的馈能式电动悬架,并对原理样机进行了试验研究.首先,对馈能式电动悬架的工作原理及结构方案进行描述;其次,根据某具体车型的后悬架系统参数,设计电机作动器样机并进行特性试验;最后,通过整车台架试验检验所设计的悬架系统在随动状态下的馈能特性和悬架特性.试验表明,低频大振幅工况时,随动状态下的电动悬架可在基本保证车辆性能的同时回馈部分电能.     

Hybrid modelling and damping collaborative optimisation of Five-suspensions for coupling driver-seat-cab system

For the complex structure and vibration characteristics of coupling driver-seat-cab system of trucks, there is no damping optimisation theory for its suspensions at present, which seriously restricts the improvement of vehicle ride comfort. Thus, in this paper, the seat suspension was regarded as ‘the fifth suspension’ of cab, the ‘Five-suspensions’ for this system was proposed. Based on this, using the mechanism modelling method, a 4 degree-of-freedom coupling driver-seat-cab system model was presented; then, by the tested cab suspensions excitation and seat acceleration response, its parameters identification mathematical model was established. Based on this, taking optimal ride comfort as target, its damping collaborative optimisation mathematical model was built. Combining the tested signals and a simulation model with the mathematical models of parameters identification and damping collaborative optimisation, a complete flow of hybrid modelling and damping collaborative optimisation of Five-suspensions was presented. With a practical example of seat and cab system, the damping parameters were optimised and validated by simulation and bench test. The results show that the model and method proposed are correct and reliable, providing a valuable reference for the design of seat suspension and cab suspensions.     

基于磁流变阻尼器的半主动车辆座椅悬架模糊控制研究

设计基于磁流变阻尼器的半主动车辆座椅悬架系统的模糊控制器。用ADAMS对系统建立三维多刚体动力学模型,用MATLAB设计系统模糊控制器,并联合两者对整个系统进行仿真。仿真和台架试验结果表明,模糊控制策略能使该系统较好抑制垂直振动加速度,提高乘坐的舒适性。     

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.     

Active controller design for an electromagnetic energy-regenerative suspension

In this paper, with the parameters acquired from measured and tested data, a three-phase mathematical model is applied to the motor component of the developed electromagnetic suspension actuator. A main/inner-loop structure is used for its active control, and the constraints of the control current and energy flow states of actuator are analyzed by simplifying the inner-loop control system. Two different control modes, i.e., Consumptive Full Active (CFA) and Regenerative Semi Active (RSA) modes, which emphasize vibration control of sprung mass and vibration energy regeneration caused by road roughness, respectively, are proposed. Simulations are carried out using different road conditions, and the results demonstrate that the CFA mode can improve vehicle ride comfort by more than 30 percent, despite battery energy consumption; in RSA mode, the ride comfort can be improved by up to 10 percent with the battery charged by regenerated energy.     

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。     

磁流变半主动悬架研究及实车试验分析

针对车辆半主动悬架系统的整车协调控制,通过悬架动力学模型分析了耦合量的影响,提出了一种主从控制方法.基于自行研制的并联常通孔式磁流变减振器和控制系统开展了实车道路试验.在越野路行驶时,驾驶员坐垫处的加权加速度降低了13.8％～42.6％,车身俯仰角速度降低了21.1％～53.7％;蛇行试验中车身侧倾角速度、角度分别平均...     

电液主动悬架滤波输出反馈控制器的设计及仿真实现

基于1／2车辆模型和非线性电液作动器，提出并详细设计了主动悬架滤波输出反馈控制器。整个主动悬架系统分解为内、外两个回路，外回路采用滤波输出反馈控制，大幅度衰减了车辆在高低频范围内的起伏和俯仰运动，提高了车辆的乘坐舒适性。内回路基于非线性作动器模型，采用传统的PI控制器，较好地跟踪输出了控制系统需要的作用力。此外，还对作动系统的摩擦力进行了详细建模。频域和时域仿真结果演示了主动悬架的良好性能并验证了结论。     

On the achievable performance using variable geometry active secondary suspension systems in commercial vehicles

There is a need to further improve driver comfort in commercial vehicles. The variable geometry active suspension offers an interesting option to achieve this in an energy efficient way. However, the optimal control strategy and the overal performance potential remains unclear. The aim of this paper is to quantify the level of performance improvement that can theoretically be obtained by replacing a conventional air sprung cabin suspension design with a variable geometry active suspension. Furthermore, the difference between the use of a linear quadratic (LQ) optimal controller and a classic skyhook controller is investigated. Hereto, an elementary variable geometry actuator model and experimentally validated four degrees of freedom quarter truck model are adopted. The results show that the classic skyhook controller gives a relatively poor performance while a comfort increase of 17–28% can be obtained with the LQ optimal controller, depending on the chosen energy weighting. Furthermore, an additional 75% comfort increase and 77% energy cost reduction can be obtained, with respect to the fixed gain energy optimal controller, using condition-dependent control gains. So, it is concluded that the performance potential using condition-dependent controllers is huge, and that the use of the classic skyhook control strategy should, in general, be avoided when designing active secondary suspensions for commercial vehicles.     

Improving crosswind stability of fast rail vehicles using active secondary suspension

Rail vehicles are today increasingly equipped with active suspension systems for ride comfort purposes. In this paper, it is studied whether these often powerful systems also can be used to improve crosswind stability. A fast rail vehicle equipped with active secondary suspension for ride comfort purposes is exposed to crosswind loads during curve negotiation. For high crosswind loads, the active secondary suspension is used to reduce the impact of crosswind on the vehicle. The control input is taken from the primary vertical suspension deflection. Three different control cases are studied and compared with the only comfort-oriented active secondary suspension and a passive secondary suspension. The application of active secondary suspension resulted in significantly improved crosswind stability.     

Optimisation of active suspension control inputs for improved vehicle handling performance

Active suspension is commonly considered under the framework of vertical vehicle dynamics control aimed at improvements in ride comfort. This paper uses a collocation-type control variable optimisation tool to investigate to which extent the fully active suspension (FAS) application can be broaden to the task of vehicle handling/cornering control. The optimisation approach is firstly applied to solely FAS actuator configurations and three types of double lane-change manoeuvres. The obtained optimisation results are used to gain insights into different control mechanisms that are used by FAS to improve the handling performance in terms of path following error reduction. For the same manoeuvres the FAS performance is compared with the performance of different active steering and active differential actuators. The optimisation study is finally extended to combined FAS and active front- and/or rear-steering configurations to investigate if they can use their complementary control authorities (over the vertical and lateral vehicle dynamics, respectively) to further improve the handling performance.     

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。