Simulation Prospective - Ride and Handling Characteristics of an ATV using MR Damper Input Control

This paper illustrates the problem of improving ride and handling characteristics of an All Terrain Vehicle (International BAJA) using Input based control. Based on the virtual model seven DOF mathematical model is developed. Fuzzy control system is developed and incorporated to assist MATLAB SIMULINK program in the simulation process, to suppress vertical heave motion of the ATV as well as improve the handling characteristics also. In ATV front wheels (both left and right fitted with conventional dampers) are provided with IR sensor, which gives the input to the rear suspensions through the developed Fuzzy control system. Rear suspensions are fitted with OEM MR Dampers (MRD). Steering wheel sensor gives the direction of the steering position and this input is given to Fuzzy. Simulation results show that the projected process furnish better results of both ride and handling characteristics.