Assessment of different semi-active control strategies on the performance of off-road vehicle suspension systems. (29th November 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faris, Waleed F.; BenLahcene, Zohir; Ihsan, Sany Izan
• Is Part Of: International journal of vehicle systems modelling and testing. Volume 5:Number 2/3(2010)
• Page Start: 254
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2010-11-29
• Subjects: ride comfort -- half-vehicle models -- semi-active suspension -- skyhook control -- ground-hook control -- hybrid control -- passive suspension systems -- off-road vehicles -- suspension systems -- vehicle suspensions -- vehicle handling -- vehicle body acceleration -- tyre deflection; Motor vehicles -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Motor vehicles -- Testing -- Periodicals; Motor vehicles -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 629.2310151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-6436

Abstract

This paper deals with dynamics and control policies analysis of semi-active suspension systems for off-road vehicles. Three configurations of these vehicles; two-axle, three-axle and four-axle have been studied and their performances are compared. The application of several control policies of semi-active suspension system, namely skyhook; ground-hook and hybrid controls have been analysed and compared with passive systems. The results show that the hybrid control policy yields better comfort than a passive suspension, without reducing the road-holding quality or increasing the suspension displacement. The hybrid control policy is also shown to be a better compromise between comfort, road-holding and suspension displacement than the skyhook and ground-hook control policies. Skyhook control generally improves sprung mass responses while at the same time increasing unsprung mass responses. On the other hand, ground-hook control generally improves unsprung mass responses at the expense of the sprung mass responses. Results show an improvement in ride comfort and vehicle handling using four-axle over three-axle and two-axle when emphasis is placed on the response of the vehicle body acceleration, suspension and tyre deflection.