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Design of passive vehicle suspensions for maximal least damping ratio

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


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Authors

Smith, MC 
Swift, SJ 

Abstract

This paper studies the use of the least damping ratio among system poles as a performance metric in passive vehicle suspensions. Methods are developed which allow optimal solutions to be computed in terms of non-dimensional quantities in a quarter-car vehicle model. Solutions are provided in graphical form for convenient use across vehicle types. Three suspension arrangements are studied: the standard suspension involving a parallel spring and damper and two further suspension arrangements involving an inerter. The key parameters for the optimal solutions are the ratios of unsprung mass to sprung mass and suspension static stiffness to tyre vertical stiffness. A discussion is provided of performance trends in terms of the key parameters. A comparison is made with the optimisation of ride comfort and tyre grip metrics for various vehicle types.

Description

Keywords

Suspension systems, passive suspensions, damping ratio, inerter

Journal Title

Vehicle System Dynamics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0042-3114
1744-5159

Volume Title

54

Publisher

Informa UK Limited
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/F062656/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/G066477/1)
This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant numbers EP/F062656/1 and EP/G066477/1.