Model Reference Sliding Mode Control of Vehicle Semi-Active Suspension System

In this research, a semi-active suspension system using a quarter car model has been investigated, and a novel model reference sliding mode control scheme in controlling the semi-active suspension system has been proposed. The proposed scheme uses an approximate ideal skyhook system as a reference model. The controller can ensure robustness for a wide range of operating conditions, and is easy to be carried out and eliminates the necessity of a road signal as well as measuring damper force in real-time. The control law is determined so that an asymptotically stable sliding mode will occur in the error dynamics between the plant and the reference model states. A simulation study is performed to prove the effectiveness and robustness of the control approach.