Title: Mechanical analysis and control design of a variable-geometry McPherson suspension

Authors: Balázs Németh; Péter Gáspár

Addresses: Department of Control and Transport Automation, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Bertalan L. u. 2., H-1111 Budapest, Hungary. ' Systems and Control Laboratory, Computer and Automation Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Kende u. 13-17, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary

Abstract: This paper proposes the analysis and synthesis of the robust control of a variable-geometry suspension system which is able to enhance the stability of the vehicle. The aim of the system is to assist the driver in performing various manoeuvres by influencing the camber angles of the rear wheels. First, the dynamical force that influences the wheel camber angle and the mechanism of McPherson suspension system are analysed, then a control-oriented model of the tyre and the suspension system is formalised. The control design is based on the robust mixed H_∞ / µ method, which meets the performance specifications and guarantees robustness against model uncertainties.

Keywords: variable-geometry suspension; McPherson suspension; control-oriented vehicle modelling; robust control; control design; robust stability; performance; mechanical analysis; vehicle suspension; vehicle stability; rear wheels; wheel camber angles; vehicle tyres; H-infinity; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2012.048446

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2012 Vol.7 No.2, pp.173 - 193

Received: 01 Oct 2011
Accepted: 26 Nov 2011
Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article