Title: Introduction to advanced vehicle suspension design

Authors: E.-C. Von Glasner, R. Povel, P. Schutzner

Addresses: Mercedes-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany. ' Mercedes-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany. ' Mercedes-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract: The tasks of suspension and damping systems applied in vehicle running gears are relevant for vehicle safety and ride comfort. But these tasks are contradictory, and therefore a design compromise cannot be a reasonable optimum. Variable suspension and damping systems of motor vehicles can be optimally controlled in respect of changing priorities dependent on different momentary operating conditions. Level-controlled air suspension systems with activatable and deactivatable backup volumes and dampers, equipped with pneumatically or electrically controllable hydraulic valves, permit extensive variations of running gear properties. Gains are thus achieved both in terms of vehicle safety and also vehicle comfort in comparison to the conventional design of the running gear. The weight and driving speed can be used to control the running gear properties without feedback. Even better influencing possibilities are offered by a closed control loop, which necessitates more extensive use of sensors. Semi-active suspension and damping systems exploit the axle dynamics for influencing the vehicle body. Active suspension systems can produce forces between axles and vehicle body with the aid of actuators. Energy-saving active variants of pneumatic or hydropneumatic suspension systems influence the vehicle body actively only at low frequencies. Activatable or active stabilisers can be used specifically for stabilising roll.

Keywords: advanced vehicle suspension design; ride comfort; suspension systems; vehicle safety; damping systems; air suspension; semi-active suspension; active suspension; active stabilisers; pneumatic suspension; hydropneumatic suspension.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1996.054573

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1996 Vol.3 No.1/2/3/4, pp.422 - 437

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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