Application of a New Modified Parametric Algebraic Model for Magnetorheological Damper in Vehicle Semi-Active Suspension System

The purpose of this paper is to present a new modified parametric algebraic model for MR damper in controlling the semi-active suspension system. Except for its accuracy, modified algebraic model is additionally more preferable in terms of its low computational expenses compared to differential modified Bouc-Wen’s model that is extremely computationally demanding. The control part consists of two nuzzled controllers, one the system controller that generates the required damping force, and other the damper controller that adjusts the voltage level to MR damper thus to track the required damping force. For the system controller a model reference skyhook Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is employed and for damper controller a continuous state algorithm is constructed to determine the input voltage thus to gain the required damping force. Along with the proposed modified algebraic model and a suitably designed skyhook SMC with continuous-state damper controller, the MR damper is applied to a quarter-car suspension model and therefore the performance of the semi-active controller is compared to the active controller and with the prevailing passive suspension system. A computer simulation is executed to prove the effectiveness and robustness of the semi-active control approach.