Pid controller for semi-active suspension system using magneto-rheological (MR) damper

Abstract

In order to maintain the high level of comfort that customer expect from vehicle and still maintain the high safety standards of automobiles, the car suspension system contribute significant impact. The main requirement of vehicle suspension is that, it should be able to minimize the vertical displacement and the acceleration of the body in order to increase the passenger comfort. A viable alternative to maintain the level of comfort is to use a semi-active suspension system with magneto-rheological (MR) damper which will reduce the inherent trade off between the ride comfort and road holding characteristic of the vehicle. Because the behaviour of semi-active devices is often highly nonlinear, one of the main challenges in the application of this technology is the development of appropriate control algorithms. In this study, the development of a semi-active suspension control of quarter car model using robust controller has been done. A mathematical modelling and computer simulation models of quarter car semi-active suspension controller algorithm have been developed within Matlab-SIMULINK. A high performance and robust controller design and developed using Matlab. There are two type of controller identified in this study which are inner loop and outer loop controller. The analysis and comparison made between passive and semi-active suspension with MR damper to provide effective damping by using robust controller.