Evaluation of Shock Absorber Models

SUMMARY A non exhaustive overview of shock absorber models is presented. The ability of the models to match experimental data is emphasized. Two physical models are presented that are able to extract the internal valve parameters from data without hysteresis. In order to implement a model that copes with hysteresis, most models require the numerical solution to a set of nonlinear differential equations. The use of an alternative restoring force method can get round the time consuming iterative simulation and identification routines. The alternative nonparametric method models the force as a function of velocity and acceleration. The theoretical relevance of the model is studied.