Design and multi-objective optimization of magnetorheological damper considering vehicle riding comfort and operation stability

Abstract

Mostly, magnetorheological (MR) dampers were optimized based on individual performance, without considering the influence of structure parameters change on vehicle performance. Therefore, a multi-objective optimization scheme of MR damper based on vehicle dynamics model was proposed. The finite element method was used to analyze magnetic flux density distribution in tapered damping channel under different structure parameters. Furthermore, the damping force expression of the tapered flow mode MR damper was derived, and the damping force was introduced into the vehicle dynamics model. In order to improve the ride comfort and operation stability of the vehicle, a collaborative optimization platform combining magnetic circuit finite element analysis and vehicle dynamics model was established. Based on this platform, the optimal design variables were determined by comfort and stability sensitivity analysis. The time domain optimization objective and frequency domain optimization objective are proposed simultaneously to overcome the lack of time domain optimization objective. The results show that compared with the time domain optimization and the initial design, the suspension dynamic deflection, tire dynamic load and vehicle body vertical acceleration are decreased after the time-frequency optimization. At the same time, in the frequency domain, the amplitude of vibration acceleration in each working condition is significantly reduced.