Saiful Anuar Abu Bakar

Semi-active suspension control to improve ride and handling using magnetorheological (MR) damper

This paper presents the simulation study of a semi-active suspension system using non-parametric model of magnetorheological (MR) damper. Hybrid stability augmentation-force control (HSAS-FC) is proposed as the control algorithm. The performance of the proposed control algorithm is analysed using validated full vehicle model and compared with modified hybrid skyhook groundhook control and passive system. The HSAS-FC is used to estimate the desired force needed to simultaneously improve ride dynamics and handling performance. The stability augmentation system (SAS) is to improve ride, meanwhile the force control (FC) is used to control roll rate and pitch rate due to lateral load transfer and longitudinal load transfer. An adaptive inverse current model was developed to produce the required current by the MR damper. The results show the new system is effective in isolating vehicle body from unwanted motions at the body centre of gravity. The amplitude and settling time of unwanted body motions are reduce for ride.

Modelling of magnetorheological semi-active suspension system controlled by semi-active damping force estimator

This paper presents the simulation study of magnetorheological semi-active suspension system controlled by a new proposed algorithm. The control algorithm named as Semi-Active Damping Force Estimator (SADE) is proposed to control the operations of the magnetorheological damper. The simulation of semi-active suspension system was done by considering actual dynamics behaviour of a custom-made magnetorheological damper, where its characteristic testing and modelling are described. The performance of magnetorheological semi-active car suspension system controlled by SADE in term of ride comfort is evaluated in comparison with normal suspension system. The performance of SADE semi-active suspension system is also compared with the skyhook-controlled semi-active suspension system performance. It is shown that magnetorheological semi-active suspension system controlled by SADE is able to improve vehicles ride comfort significantly compared to passive suspension system. The SADE-controlled semi-active suspension system performs more or less the same as skyhook-controlled semi-active suspension system.

Tyre Force control strategy for semi-active magnetorheological damper suspension system for light-heavy duty truck

A semi-active controller scheme for magnetorheological (MR) damper of a light-heavy vehicle suspension known as Tyre Force Control (TFC) is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed TFC algorithm is compared with Groundhook (GRD) control. A simulation model was developed and simulated using MATLAB Simulink software. The performance of the semi-active MR damper using TFC is analytically studied. Ride test was conducted at three different speeds and two different bumps, and the simulation results of TFC and GRD are compared and analysed. The results showed that the proposed controller is able to reduce tyre force significantly compared to GRD control strategy.

Ground Semi Active Damping Force Estimator (gSADE) for Magnetorheological Damper Suspension System Using Quarter Heavy Vehicle Model

This paper proposed semi active controller scheme for magnetorheological (MR) damper of a heavy vehicle suspension known as Ground Semi Active Damping Force Estimator (gSADE), where it was modified from Semi Active Damping Force Estimator (SADE) algorithm. A reported algorithm known as Groundhook (GRD) was developed where its aim to minimize tire road forces and hence reduce road damage. Thus, the objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed gSADE algorithm compared to GRD and SADE. These algorithms are applied to a quarter heavy vehicle models and the simulation model was developed and simulated using MATLAB Simulink software. Ride test was conducted at three different speeds and three bump heights, and the simulation results of gSADE, SADE and GRD are compared and analysed. The results showed that the proposed controller is able to reduced tire force significantly compared to GRD control strategy.

Modelling and validation of vehicle ride comfort model

This paper presents the development of a validated seven degrees of freedom (7DOF) of vehicle ride comfort model for a Malaysian made passenger vehicle. The mathematical equations of the ride model, which consists seven degrees of freedom, are represented. Ride test known as pitch mode test was conducted to validate the reliability of the developed simulation model. The test was conducted using a fully instrumented test vehicle where the sensors installed were used to gather information on vehicle’s vertical and pitch motions. The data collected are used to tune certain parameters value in the simulation model, to ensure the developed simulation model can be used to represent the ride dynamics behaviour of the test vehicle. The result shows that the developed simulation model is capable in representing the ride dynamics behaviour of the test vehicle.

Active suspension system in improving ride and handling performance of electric vehicle conversion

This paper presents an evaluation on passenger vehicles ride and handling performance when converted into an electric vehicle (EV). The evaluations were done using a validated 14 degrees of freedom ride and handling model. The mathematical modelling of vehicles ride and handling model as well as its validations are described. Two types of experiments were performed to validate the developed simulation model; the ride test and the handling test. The validated simulation model was used to evaluate the vehicles ride and handling performance of the vehicle when converted into an electric vehicle. The evaluation involves two weight distribution ratios which are 60:40, for normal vehicle and 40:60 for EV conversion. The validated simulation model used active suspension system in order to improve the EV conversions ride and handling performance. It is found that modification into EV affects vehicles handling performance quite significant but not ride performance. The EV conversions weight, which is distributed towards the rear of the vehicle, causes the vehicle to travel off from its original travelling path. The application of active suspension system is proposed to improve EV conversions handling performance as well as its ride comfort performance.

Fuzzy semi-active damping force estimator (fSADE) and skyhook semi-active suspension systems

This paper presents the comparative study on semi-active suspension controlled by skyhook algorithm and fuzzy semi-active damping force estimator (fSADE). The damping element used in the semi-active suspension is non-pressurised magnetorheological (MR) damper. The performance of magnetorheological semi-active suspension system controlled by fSADE in terms of ride comfort is evaluated in comparison with normal suspension system and skyhook semi-active suspension system. The study is also focusing on the effects of the number of fuzzy rules used in fSADE algorithm performance. Other aspects studied are the current consumption used by the MR damper as well as the damper’s ability to execute the damping forces as estimated by the controllers. The vehicle ride comforts are evaluated based on the vehicle’s vertical motions (jerk, acceleration, displacement) and pitch motions (pitch rate and pitch angle). It is shown that magnetorheological semi-active suspension system controlled by fSADE is able to improve veh...

Dynamic tire force control for light-heavy duty truck using semi active suspension system

Truck suspension system could reduce cab vibration as well as road damage. A number of methods are engaged to promote truck performance, such active and semi active control. With the purpose of reducing dynamic tire force, this paper presents a simulation analysis of a semi active suspension control for light-heavy duty truck, the controller scheme known as Ground Semi Active Damping Force Estimator (gSADE). A famous tire force control oriented algorithm for heavy vehicle suspension control known as Groundhook (GRD) also has been studied. Thus, the objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of the gSADE algorithm compared to GRD and passive system. These algorithms are applied to a full light-heavy duty truck models, and the simulation model was developed and simulated using MATLAB Simulink software. Ride test was conducted using random road excitation at three different speeds, and the simulation results of gSADE, GRD and passive system are compared and analyzed. The simulation results showed that the gSADE control is able to reduced tire force significantly compared to GRD control and passive system.

Tire Force Control Strategy for Semi Active Magnetorheological Damper Suspension System Using Quarter Heavy Vehicle Model

This paper proposed semi active controller scheme for magnetorheological (MR) damper of a heavy vehicle suspension known as Tire Force Control (TFC). A reported algorithm in the literature to reduce tire force is Groundhook (GRD). Thus, the objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed TFC algorithm compared to GRD. These algorithms are applied to a quarter heavy vehicle models, where the objective of the proposed controller is to reduce unsprung force (tire force). The simulation model was developed and simulated using MATLAB Simulink software. The use of semi active MR damper using TFC is analytically studied. Ride test was conducted at three different speeds and three bump heights, and the simulation results of TFC and GRD are compared and analysed. The results showed that the proposed controller is able to reduced tire force significantly compared to GRD control strategy.

Active Suspension System to Improve Ride Comfort Performance of Electric Vehicle (EV) Conversion

This paper presents an evaluation of ride comfort performance of a passenger vehicle when converted into an electric vehicle (EV). The evaluations were done using a validated 7 degrees of freedom of vehicle’s ride model. The developed vehicle’s ride model was used to predict the vehicle’s ride behaviours when subjected to random road profiles. The ride model of EV conversion was then integrated with the active suspension system in order to further improve the EV conversion’s ride comfort performance. It was found that the modifications of a normal passenger vehicle into an EV conversion do not affect vehicle’s ride comfort performance significantly, except the conversion changes only the magnitude of vehicle’s vertical displacement, pitch rate and pitch angle responses. However, the integration of an active suspension system in EV conversions ride model was improves the observed responses of EV conversion’s ride comfort performance by overall improvement of 65.7 percents.