The Use of Multibody System Modeling and Multivariable System Decoupling Techniques in Vehicle Ride Control

This paper describes the use of realistic analytical techniques to address automotive ride control. Multibody system (MBS) modeling techniques were used to develop a full vehicle model with suspension system representation, which was subsequently validated against experimental data. The resultant multivariable ride control problem was then decoupled in the frequency domain by the application of equivalence transformation techniques. It is shown that diagonalization can be achieved for the range of primary ride frequencies, and that the decoupled system then consists of three single-input/single-output (SISO) systems, one for each of the sprung mass modes. Finally, feedback control design for each sprung mass mode loop is illustrated by the application of modal damping.