Parameters Analyses and Identification for Rubber Bush Based on Theoretical Dynamic Model with Effects of Temperature and Preload

A series connection of the KVBC (Kelvin-Voigt and Bouc-wen) theoretical model of rubber bush in automobile suspension is established. The numerical calculation model is also developed through Matlab/simulation and 9 parameters are identified. Experiments are conducted on the rubber bush on a bench for dynamic and static characteristics and to supply appropriate and reliable data for parameter identification. Based on this, preload and temperature are taken into consideration in an ordinary KVBC model as two important additional factors. As a result, it leads to developing a novel model with new parameter identification, which is validated under different conditions. This new modeling method of rubber bush has three advantages. First, it shows improved accuracy for solving non-linear problems in a multi-body calculation, which is useful for researchers and vehicle engineers. In addition, this new method leads to a very important step for choosing appropriate bush model type before analysis, which depends on the preload value. Furthermore, the model can be used to handle real situations with temperature variation around rubber bushes during simulation, which has been studied for many years for automobile NVH performance versus temperature.