Title: The dynamic modelling of road vehicles for the numerical verification of active suspensions

Authors: Peter Gaspar, Istvan Kuti

Addresses: Computer and Automation Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Kende u. 13-17, H 1111 Budapest, Hungary. ' Department of Chassis and Lightweight Structures, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Muegyetem rkp. 3, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary

Abstract: In this paper, a high-complexity finite element structure of a truck model is proposed for the control design of active suspension systems. By applying this model the precise dynamics of the truck can be analysed, in which not only the effects of the road roughness can be examined, but also the influences of the different vehicle manoeuvres can be analysed. The other purpose of the finite element model is to design an active suspension in which a reduced-order controller is constructed by using the relevant frequencies up to 30 Hz from the modal representation of the model. One of the main objectives of our project is to provide the verification of the controlled system, i.e. to eliminate harmful vibrations in the vehicle and guarantee road holding in various vehicle manoeuvres.

Keywords: active suspensions; finite element method; FEM; flexible structures; vehicle modelling; performances; robust control; simulation; uncertainty; dynamic modelling; truck modelling; control design; vehicle design; vehicle dynamics; road holding; vibration reduction; vehicle suspension; vehicle manoeuvres; vehicle control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2006.008452

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2006 Vol.40 No.1/2/3, pp.36 - 51

Published online: 21 Dec 2005 *

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