Title: Hybrid variable structure-fuzzy control of a magnetorheological damper for a seat suspension

Authors: Emanuele Guglielmino, Charles W. Stammers, Danut Stancioiu, Tudor Sireteanu, Rinaldo Ghigliazza

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. ' Institute of Solid Mechanics, Romanian Academy, Constantin Mille 15, Bucharest, Romania. ' Institute of Solid Mechanics, Romanian Academy, Constantin Mille 15, Bucharest, Romania. ' Dipartimento di Meccanica, Universita di Genova, Via all'Opera Pia 15/A, 16145 Genova, Italy

Abstract: The paper concerns an investigation of the use of a controlled magnetorheological damper for a semi-active seat suspension in vehicles not equipped with primary suspensions (e.g. some types of agricultural, forestry and roadwork vehicles). A magnetorheological damper can produce a variable damping action without requiring moving parts, such as valves, as opposed to a more conventional controlled damper. This paper presents a control strategy targeted to improve driver comfort based on a hybrid variable structure-fuzzy logic controller. Variable structure control is inherently a switching logic, hence more prone to cause chattering. Fuzzy logic helps reduce chatter without penalising damper dynamic response. An experimentally validated model of a magnetorheological damper which also includes hysteresis, and a vibration model of the human body have been developed and the system performance investigated via numerical simulation.

Keywords: Bouc-Wen model; driver comfort; fuzzy logic; human body vibration; vibration model; magnetorheological damper; seat suspension; semi-active suspension; variable structure control; fuzzy control; hysteresis; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVAS.2005.007036

International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems, 2005 Vol.3 No.1, pp.34 - 46

Published online: 06 May 2005 *

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