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 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.