Evaluation of a Shock Model for Vehicle Simulation

This paper describes the development of a more accurate shock absorber model in order to obtain better vehicle simulation results. Previous shock models used a single spline to represent shock force versus shock velocity curves. These models produced errors in vehicle simulations because the damper characteristics are better represented by the application of a hysteresis loop in the model. Thus, a new damper model that includes a hysteresis loop is developed using Matlab Simulink. The damper characteristics for the new model were extracted from measurements made on a shock dynamometer. The new model better represents experimental shock data.

The new shock model is incorporated into two different lumped-parameter vehicle models: one is a three degree-of-freedom vehicle handling model and the other is a seven degree-of-freedom vehicle ride model. The new damper model is compared with the previous model for different shock mileages (different degrees of wear). The model was then exercised to study the effects of increasing mileage on vehicle characteristics. In addition, damper characteristics are analyzed at varying mileages using both models. Based on the results, the new shock absorber model with the applied hysteresis loops reduces the errors and improves the quality of the simulated vehicle responses.