Title: Control of vehicle suspension using a Non-linear Energy Sink controller

Authors: Ling Zheng, A. Baz

Addresses: Department of Automobile Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA

Abstract: A Non-linear Energy Sink (NES) controller is designed and used to control actively or semi-actively the dynamics of vehicle suspension systems. A vertical vehicle dynamic model is developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the NES controller. The proposed controller utilises non-linear spring and damping elements, which are attached to the primary suspension system. The non-linear damping elements reduce the dynamic load of the tyres and improve the handling performance, while the non-linear spring elements absorb vibration energy transmitted by road disturbance and improve the vehicle ride comfort. Simulation results show that the proposed controller can potentially achieve a balance between ride comfort and handling performance.

Keywords: nonlinear energy sinks; NES controller; LQR; suspension systems; control strategy; vehicle suspensions; vehicle dynamic modelling; handling performance; tyre load; vehicle vibration; ride comfort; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2007.014397

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2007 Vol.3 No.1, pp.27 - 45

Published online: 04 Jul 2007 *

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