Although active suspension improved vehicle ride comfort, their two
main drawbacks are the required high component costs and energy
input levels for active suspension. The semi-active and twin
accumulator suspensions are proposed which addresses these two
drawbacks. Ride performances for passive, twin accumulator and
semi-active are examined theoretically using half vehicle model. The power consumed in rolling resistance and power dissipation in
suspension for passive, twin accumulator and semi-active suspension systems are evaluated. The effect of road disturbance on the vehicle
ride performance for twin accumulator and semi-active suspension
systems is studied. The rolling resistance power losses are also
investigated. The results showed that the optimum twin accumulator
suspension system over all road roughness/speed conditions would
have adaptable spring stiffness and damping coefficients which could
be changed depending on the road conditions. Semi-active suspension
systems already achieve part of this requirement by providing a
limited choice of damper setting. The percentage of power dissipation
in suspension relative to power consumed in rolling resistance for
semi active suspension system is higher than that obtained for twin
accumulator and passive system. The rolling resistance power losses
are discussed. |
