Electrorheological Damper Analysis Using an Eyring Constitutive Relationship

We validate and assess the applicability of an Eyring constitutive model. The Bingham plastic model has a zero shear rate discontinuity, which leads to inaccuracies in modeling and simulation, and is characterized by two rheological constants for a constant field: yield stress and postyield viscosity. The Eyring model has a smooth transition through the zero shear rate condition, and also has two rheological constants for a constant field. An electrorheological (ER) damper having a damping level comparable to a shock absorber for a small-sized passenger car damper is manufactured, and its performance is predicted using the Eyring model. To accurately identify the rheological parameters of the Eyring model, a parameter identification method was used. The damping force versus piston displacement and velocity behaviors of the ER damper are experimentally measured with respect to applied electric field and excitation frequency. To validate the Eyring model, the experimental results are compared with predictions in the damping force versus piston displacement and velocity behaviors.