Investigations into Alternative Suspensions for Commercial Vehicles
933048
11/01/1993
- Event
- Content
- The ride dynamics of articulated heavy trucks were studied to assess the benefits of applying electronically controlled suspension elements. Computer simulations were used to compare passive, two-state and continuous semi-active, and fully active suspensions. These results prompted further work to develop a prototype active suspension, operating according to a limited bandwidth strategy, which was tested on a full size, single-wheel-station vibration rig. With the active prototype, root mean square body vertical acceleration was 30% lower than with a production air suspension, during a test simulating travel over a very good road profile. RMS dynamic tyre forces, generated by the active prototype were similarly 20% lower. Mean power consumption during this test was 1.2kW. Further consideration of the limited bandwidth active suspension led to the invention of a substantially passive equivalent. This passive equivalent was also tested and gave results indistinguishable from those of the active prototype.
- Pages
- 11
- Citation
- Wilkinson, P., and Crolla, D., "Investigations into Alternative Suspensions for Commercial Vehicles," SAE Technical Paper 933048, 1993, https://doi.org/10.4271/933048.