Magnetorheological (MR) dampers are adaptive devices whose properties can be adjusted through the application of a controlled voltage signal. A semi-active suspension system incorporating MR dampers combines the advantages of both active and passive suspensions. For this reason, there has been a continuous effort to develop control algorithms for MR-damped vehicle suspension systems to meet the requirements of the automotive industry. The overall aims of this thesis are twofold: (i) The investigation of non-parametric techniques for the identification of the nonlinear dynamics of an MR damper. (ii) The implementation of these techniques in the investigation of MR damper control of a vehicle suspension system that makes minimal use of sensors, thereby reducing the implementation cost and increasing system reliability. The novel contributions of this thesis can be listed as follows: 1- Nonparametric identification modelling of an MR damper using Chebyshev polynomials to identify the damping force from both simulated and experimental data. 2- The neural network identification of both the direct and inverse dynamics of an MR damper through an experimental procedure. 3- The experimental evaluation of a neural network MR damper controller relative to previously proposed controllers. 4- The application of the neural-based damper controller trained through experimental data to a semi-active vehicle suspension system. 5- The development and evaluation of an improved control strategy for a semi-active car seat suspension system using an MR damper. Simulated and experimental validation data tests show that Chebyshev polynomials can be used to identify the damper force as an approximate function of the displacement, velocity and input voltage. Feed-forward and recurrent neural networks are used to model both the direct and inverse dynamics of MR dampers. It is shown that these neural networks are superior to Chebyshev polynomials and can reliably represent both the direct and inverse dynamic behaviours of MR dampers. The neural network models are shown to be reasonably robust against significant temperature variation. Experimental tests show that an MR damper controller based a recurrent neural network (RNN) model of its inverse dynamics is superior to conventional controllers in achieving a desired damping force, apart from being more cost-effective. This is confirmed by introducing such a controller into a semi-active suspension, in conjunction with an overall system controller based on the sliding mode control algorithm. Control performance criteria are evaluated in the time and frequency domains in order to quantify the suspension effectiveness under bump and random road excitations. A study using the modified Bouc-Wen model for the MR damper, and another study using an actual damper fitted in a hardware-in-the-loop- simulation (HILS), both show that the inverse RNN damper controller potentially gives significantly superior ride comfort and vehicle stability. It is also shown that a similar control strategy is highly effective when used for a semi-active car seat suspension system incorporating an MR damper.

This thesis deals with a conceptual design of small utility vehicle with three axles. The aim is to devise a suitable type of frame along with construction of all axles and a steering system, implementation of a drive train, a braking system and other basic equipment. Own solution is preceded by elaboration of a survey dealing with small utility vehicles produced nowadays as well as in the past together with a description of all variants of basic assemblies suitable for the construction of the specified vehicle.

The TARA machine from Volvo is equipped with hydraulic suspension which can be connected with each other in different ways. The present study focuses on enhancing the dynamic performance of the TARA machine during its operations through the investigation of various hydraulically interconnected suspension (HIS) systems. Employing a comprehensive cosimulation approach using Adams Car (ACar) and MATLAB Simulink, a full-vehicle analysis was conducted. The TARA machine was modeled in ACar, while the Simulink environment was utilized to design the control system and implement the HIS configuration. The HIS system was connected within two wheels, explored with three different connection types: pendulum, cross or individual connections. The model was simulated in pitch, roll, bounce and warp modes, achieved by running on different road conditions generated in ACar. The change of different HIS systems were achieved by manipulation of the hydraulic circuit in Simulink. By analyzing the dynamic performance of the HIS systems in terms of acceleration, the study aims to identify the most favorable HIS configuration on TARA machine. This investigation provides valuable insights for optimizing the overall operational dynamics of TARA machines, thereby contributing to the development of advanced HIS systems in the field. / Den TARA-maskinen från Volvo är utrustad med hydraulisk fjädring som kan kopplas samman på olika sätt. Den aktuella studien fokuserar på att förbättra den dynamiska prestandan hos TARA-maskinen under dess drift genom undersökning av olika hydrauliskt sammanlänkade fjädringssystem (HIS). Genom att använda en omfattande sam-simulering med Adams Car (ACar) och MATLAB Simulink utfördes en helhetsanalys av fordonet. TARA-maskinen modellerades i ACar medan Simulink-miljön användes för att utforma kontrollsystemet och implementera HIS-konfigurationen. HIS-systemet var kopplat mellan två hjul och utforskades med tre olika typer av kopplingar: pendel, korsning eller individuella kopplingar. Modellen simulerades i lutning, roll, studs och förvrängning, vilket åstadkoms genom att köra på olika vägförhållanden genererade i ACar. Förändringen av olika HIS-system åstadkoms genom manipulering av hydraulikkretsen i Simulink. Genom att analysera HIS-systemens dynamiska prestanda i form av acceleration syftar studien till att identifiera den mest fördelaktiga HIS-konfigurationen för TARA-maskinen. Denna undersökning ger värdefulla insikter för att optimera den övergripande operationella dynamiken hos TARA-maskiner och bidrar därmed till utvecklingen av avancerade HIS-system inom området.

With the increasingly prevalent use of robots, this paper presents the design and evaluation of a multifunctional Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) with an adjustable suspension system, overmolding omni-wheels, and a unique tool head pick-up mechanism. The UGV addresses current adaptability, performance, and versatility limitations across various industries, including agriculture, construction, and surveillance. The adjustable suspension system enhances the UGV's stability and adaptability on diverse terrains, and the overmolding omni-wheels improve maneuverability and durability in off-road conditions. The tool head pick-up mechanism allows for the seamless integration of various tools, enabling the UGV to perform multiple tasks without manual intervention. A comprehensive performance evaluation assessed the UGVs' versatility, load capacity, passability, and adaptability. The results indicate that the proposed UGV design successfully addresses current limitations and has the potential to revolutionize various applications in different industries. Further research and development are necessary to optimize the UGV's performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The suspension system in vehicles supports the vehicle's road stability and ride quality by scaling down the vibration responses resulting from road surface's roughness. This research focuses on fatigue life analysis of coil spring component. Static linear analysis is conducted on the 3D model of helical coil spring to investigate deformation and stress responses. Modal analysis evaluates the characteristics of vibration, i.e. natural resonance frequencies and corresponding mode shapes. The stress frequency response is generated after performing the harmonic analysis on the spring. Dynamics and performance of spring are analyzed over practical frequency range of 0 Hz to 200 Hz. Fatigue life estimation of vehicle suspension spring is performed using the stress data obtained from frequency response analysis. The stress-life (S-N) approach is utilized for fatigue life assessment of suspension spring. This durability analysis technique can be utilized in the automotive industry to improve reliability of vehicles. The outcome of this research can contribute in analysis and design of modern smart vehicles. / Master of Science / The suspension system in vehicles supports the vehicle's road stability and ride quality by scaling down the vibration responses resulting from road surface's roughness. This research focuses on the fatigue life analysis of suspension spring component. Initial phase of analysis is conducted to investigate the deformation and stress in 3D model of spring. Dynamics and performance of spring are analyzed over applicable frequency range of 0 Hz to 200 Hz. Fatigue life of vehicle suspension spring is evaluated using stress data from frequency response analysis. This durability analysis technique can be utilized in the automotive industry to improve reliability of vehicles. The outcome of this research can contribute in analysis and design of modern smart vehicles.

Suspension systems and wheels play a critical role in vehicle dynamics performance of a car in areas such as ride comfort and handling. Lumped parameter models (LPMs) are commonly used for assessing the performance of vehicle suspension systems. However, there is a lack of clarity with regard to the relative capabilities of different LPM configurations. A comprehensive comparative study of three most commonly used LPMs of increasing complexity has been carried out in the current work. The study reported here has yielded insights into the capabilities of the considered LPMs in predicting response time histories which may be used for assessing ride comfort. A shortcoming of available suspension system models appears to be in representation of harsh situations such as jounce movement which cause full compression of springs leading to ‘jerks’ manifested as high values of rate of change of acceleration of sprung mass riding on a wheel. In the current research work, a modified nonlinear quarter-car model is proposed to account for the contact force that results in jerk-type response. The numerical solution algorithm is validated through the simulation of an impact test on a car McPherson strut in a Drop Weight Impact Testing Tower developed in CAR Laboratory, CPDM. This is followed by a detailed comparison of HCM and QCM to examine their suitability for such analysis. For decades, wheel bearings in vehicles have been designed using simplified analytical approaches based on Hertz contact theory and test data. In the present work, a hybrid approach has been developed for assessing the load bearing capacity of a wheel ball bearing set. According to this approach, the amplitude of dynamic wheel load can be obtained from a lumped parameter analysis of a suspension system, which can then be used for detailed static finite element analysis of a wheel bearing system. The finite element modelling approach has been validated by successfully predicting the load bearing capacity of an SKF ball bearing set for an acceptable fatigue life. For the first time, using a powerful commercial explicit finite element analysis tool, a detailed dynamic analysis has been carried of a deep groove ball bearing with a rotating inner race. The analysis has led to a consistent representation of complex motions consisting of rotations and revolutions of rolling elements, and generated insights into the stresses developed in the various components such as balls and races. In conclusion, a simple yet effective fuzzy logic-based yaw control algorithm has been presented in the current research. According to this algorithm, two inputs i.e. a yaw rate error and a driver steering angle are used for generating an output in the form of an additive steering angle which potentially can aid a driver in avoiding straying from an intended path.

The development needs of handling and ride vehicle dynamic characteristics are constantly evolving, crucial for safety and comfortable commute since many active safety and driver assistance systems depend on these characteristics. Ride improvements enhance passenger comfort, which plays a significant role in quality and brand value. Chassis and suspension systems greatly influence these vehicle dynamic characteristics. These systems should provide stability, high precision and a high degree of adaptive performance with quick response time. One of the ways to achieve these demands is by incorporating mechatronics suspension systems. Semi-active and fully active mechatronics suspension systems offer passengers a more comprehensive range of vehicle characteristics in terms of driving experience than vehicles with purely mechanical suspension systems. The efficient implementation of mechatronics suspension systems depends on the controller type and how its commands are realised. A typical control strategy is to decide a desired behaviour on the vehicle body and realise that behaviour with the help of the semi-active or active actuators. This work focuses on the realisation of the modal coordinate controller commands that counteracts the undesired body motions. The commands are in vehicle body coordinates with respect to the COG of the vehicle. The biggest challenge is to translate these counteracting forces and torques into semi-active damper vertical forces. This challenge is addressed with different algorithms with different levels of complexity and capability. The complexity ranges from the linear system of equations to real-time optimisation. Essentially, the algorithms will fragmentise and distribute the centralised command among different actuators and finally realise them back as close as commanded by taking the actuator and other physical limitations into account. This work also focuses on developing relative weights tuning methods, which play a significant role in the cost function formation and optimisation solution. The algorithms are evaluated in three different road conditions to incorporate typical driving environments related to primary and secondary rides. The enhancements in the ride performance are visualised by comparing against the existing methodology. The conclusions strongly support the optimisation-based force allocation algorithm over the existing method. It enables significant improvements in the ride performance and a high degree of flexibility by efficiently distributing commands among four actuators, which results in utilising the full potential of the semi-active dampers. / Utvecklingsbehoven för fordons dynamiska egenskaper med avseende på åkkomfort och köregenskaper är ständigt föränderliga och är avgörande för säkerheten och bekväm pendling eftersom många aktiva säkerhets- och förarassistanssystem är beroende av dessa egenskaper. Åkkomfortförbättringar förbättrar passagerarnas komfort, vilket spelar en betydande roll för kvalitet och märkesvärde. Chassi och fjädringssystem påverkar i hög grad dessa fordonsdynamiska egenskaper. Dessa system ska ge stabilitet, hög precision och en hög grad av adaptiv prestanda med snabb responstid. Ett av sätten att uppnå dessa krav är genom att införliva mekatroniska fjädringssystem. Semiaktiva och fullt aktiva mekatronikfjädringssystem erbjuder passagerare ett mer omfattande utbud av fordonsegenskaper när det gäller körupplevelse än fordon med rent mekaniska upphängningssystem. Ett effektivt genomförande av semiaktiva eller aktiva fjädringssystem beror på styrenhetstypen och hur styrenhetens kommandon är realiserade. En typisk reglerstrategi är att bestämma ett önskat beteende på fordonets kaross och realisera det beteendet med hjälp av de semiaktiva eller aktiva dämparna. Detta arbete fokuserar på förverkligandet av de modala koordinatstyrkommandon som motverkar oönskade kroppsrörelser. Kommandona beskrivs i fordonskroppens koordinater med avseende på fordonets tyngdpunkt (COG). Den största utmaningen är att översätta dessa motverkande krafter och vridmoment till vertikala krafter för stötdämparna. Denna utmaning hanteras med olika algoritmer med olika nivåer av komplexitet och kapacitet. Komplexiteten sträcker sig från det linjära ekvationssystemet till optimering i realtid. I huvudsak kommer algoritmerna att fragmentera och distribuera det centraliserade kommandot bland olika dämpare och slutligen förverkliga dem tillbaka så nära kommandot som möjligt genom att ta hänsyn till ställdonet och andra fysiska begränsningar. Studien fokuserar också på att utveckla justeringsmetoder för relativa vikter, som spelar en viktig roll i kostnadsfunktionsbildningen och optimeringslösningen. Algoritmerna utvärderas under tre olika vägförhållanden för att inkludera typiska körmiljöer relaterade till primär och sekundär åkkomfort. Förbättringarna i körprestandan visualiseras genom att jämföra mot den befintliga metoden. Slutsatserna stöder starkt en optimeringsbaserad kraftallokeringsalgoritm över den befintliga metoden. Algoritmen möjliggör betydande förbättringar av prestandan och en hög grad av flexibilitet genom att effektivt fördela kommandot bland fyra ställdon, vilket resulterar i att utnyttja den fulla potentialen för de semiaktiva dämparna.

Tato práce se se zabývá návrhem kinematiky zavěšení kol obou náprav. Na základě analýz jízdních dat, multi-body simulací v softwaru Adams Car, simulací v Matlabu a analytických kalkulací v Mathcadu, je navržena řada změn s cílem zlepšit jízdní vlastnosti vozu Formule student, tyto změny jsou následně implementovány do CAD modelu vozu. Jednotlivé změny kinematiky náprav jsou provedeny na základě analýzy konkrétního problému, který se snaží řešit. Jednou z problematik je zástavbová náročnost systému odpružení a zavěšení zadních kol, zde je cílem snížit hmotnost, výšku těžiště a moment setrvačnosti. Další problematikou je geometrie předního kola, kde je cílem zlepšit využití pneumatik a snížit síly v řízení. Dále se práce zabývá simulacemi elastokinematiky zadní nápravy, součástí je také návrh měřícího zařízení. V poslední části je zkoumán vliv provedených změn i elastokinematiky na jízdní dynamiku vozu v ustálených stavech za pomocí MM metody simulované s modelem celého vozu v Adams Car a zpracované v Matlabu.