Implementation of semi-active damping on a tri-axle heavy-vehicle suspension

A semi-active truck damper was developed in conjunction with a commercial shock absorber manufacturer. A linearized damper model was developed for control system design purposes. Open- and closed-loop damper force tracking control was implemented, with tests showing that an open-loop approach gave the best compromise between response speed and accuracy. A hardware-in-the-loop test facility was used to investigate performance of the damper when combined with a simulated quarter-car model. The input to the vehicle model was a set of randomly generated road profiles, each profile traversed at an appropriate speed. Modified skyhook damping tests showed a simultaneous improvement over the optimum passive case of 13 per cent in vertical body acceleration and 8 per cent in dynamic tyre forces. Full-scale vehicle tests of the damper on a heavy tri-axle trailer were carried out. Implementation of modified skyhook damping yielded a simultaneous improvement over the optimum passive case of 8 per cent in vertical body acceleration and 8 per cent in dynamic tyre forces. © IMechE 2008.

Vehicle motion simulators, a key step towards road vehicle dynamics improvement

Real road vehicle tests are time consuming, laborious, and costly, and involve several safety concerns. Road vehicle motion simulators (RVMS) could assist with vehicle testing, and eliminate or reduce the difficulties traditionally associated with conducting vehicle tests. However, such simulators must exhibit a high level of fidelity and accuracy in order to provide realistic and reliable outcomes. In this paper, we review existing RVMS and discuss each of the major RVMS subsystems related to the research and development of vehicle dynamics. The possibility of utilising motion simulators to conduct ride and handling test scenarios is also investigated.

Results of Minicars RSV crash avoidance tests conducted in West Germany.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

90-degree dolly rollover test of an electric vehicle per FMVSS 208 test procedure - 1977 Electra-Van 500. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Repeatability of visibility tests. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Effect of cargo shifting on vehicle handling. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, Washington, D.C.

RSV test monitoring and data publication - results of European performance and handling tests on the Calspan RSV. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Vehicles-in-use sub-limit maneuvers. Volume II: multi-vehicle test validation. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle Engineering Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Vehicles-in-use sub-limit maneuvers. Volume III: effects of vehicle-in-use spring sag on vehicle handling and braking. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle Engineering Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Accident avoidance evaluation of General Motors experimental safety vehicle. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Tire break-in procedures for handling tests. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Vehicle test procedure driving schedules. Final report.

Transportation Department, Office of Systems Engineering, Washington, D.C.

Laboratory measurement of vehicle characteristics for predicting highway behavior. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Simulation of restrained occupant dynamics during vehicle rollover. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Crashworthiness Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Vehicle component characterization. Volume I: project results. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Research and Development, Washington, D.C.