A. M. Shirahatti
The suspension system plays a major role in any automobile as far as the vehicle stability and ride comfort of the passengers are considered. In conventional or passive suspension systems performance parameters like ride comfort, road holding and suspension travel, are mutually contradicting while active suspension system has the potential to improve these factors. The present work aims to study a full vehicle model having passive and active suspension system subjected to random road profile as per ISO standards. The linear quadratic controller (LQR) is used for active suspension system. Using optimization procedure the actuator force, which minimizes the performance index is determined. Passenger ride comfort is directly related to the passenger seat acceleration and road holding relates to wheel displacement and suspension travel. The active suspension system performance is compared with passive suspension system subjected to random road profile. Results show passenger bounce and acceleration are reduced drastically in active suspension system indicating improvement in both road holding and comfort.