Fuzzy Based Control of a Vehicle Suspension System Using a MR Damper

Vehicle suspension systems are usually based on passive actuators and control modes in which the damping and stiffness parameters are predefined and kept constant for all road profiles and vehicle response. A different approach is to use active systems to monitor and control the suspension motion in order to improve the vehicle handling and comfort. However, these systems have a complex design requiring a relatively high power source to operate. Semi-active systems are also capable to modify the properties of the vehicle suspension but with low power requirements making them a promising technology for demanding vibration control systems. This paper presents the findings of a numerical simulation involving a simplified model of a vehicle suspension system equipped with a MR actuator. The system is designed to improve the behavior (comfort and handling) of the vehicle compared with a traditional passive suspension system. A simple fuzzy logic controller is used to decide the control action in accordance with the measured system response.