Data-driven modeling and intelligent control of magnetorheological dampers for whole-body vibration isolation and ride-comfort evaluation

Abstract

Magnetorheological (MR) dampers have received considerable attention in recent years. This interest stems from their unique characteristics, most notably their fail-safe damping modulation capability, rapid response to control inputs, and adaptability to varying operating conditions. The development of a simple yet accurate phenomenological model to characterize nonlinear hysteretic response of MR dampers is of paramount importance for designing effective control strategies. In this study a non-parametric model based on the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is proposed and its performance is compared with parametric models such as the double hyperbolic tangent (DHT) model. The proposed models can be effectively used to formulate inverse models, thus enabling effective tracking control of target damping force required for controller design. A coupled quarter vehicle-seat-driver model integrated with the proposed ANFIS model of the MR damper subjected to stochastic C-class road roughness input is further formulated to illustrate merits of the proposed model and the response characteristics of the coupled model are presented to discuss system-level vibration responses. Considering two fuzzy control strategies, namely, force-controlled and current-controlled, to evaluate the close-loop performance of the coupled system. The transmission of road-induced vehicle vibration to the occupant is subsequently analyzed considering three system configurations: passive, force-controlled semi-active, and current-controlled semi-active. Finally, vibration isolation performance and ride comfort are assessed on the basis of W_k-weighted RMS acceleration (RMS_Wk) response at the occupant-seat interface in accordance with ISO-2631-1. The whole-body vibration exposure and associated potential health risks are also evaluated by computing vibration dose value (VDV) and daily exposure A (8) in accordance with ISO 2631-1. Results demonstrated superior performance of the force-controlled semi-active control strategy achieves superior vibration attenuation compared to both the passive and current-controlled configurations. The proposed force-controlled strategy demonstrated enhanced comfort performance and notable reduction in cumulative vibration exposure dosage.