Series Active Variable Geometry Suspension: Full-Car Prototyping and Road Testing

In this article, a full-car prototype of the recently proposed mechatronic suspension, series active variable geometry suspension (SAVGS), is developed for on-road driving experimental proof concept, aiming to be adopted by original equipment manufacturers as an alternative solution fully suspensions. Particularly, mechanical modifications are performed both corners front double-wishbone production car with single link attached upper ends spring–damper units, while rear remain in (passive) configurations. The involve innovatively designed parts enable desired performance improvements maintaining ride harshness at conventional levels. A real-time embedded system further primarily implement power supply, data acquisition, and measurements vehicle dynamics-related variables, robust control application comfort road holding enhancement, which based on derived linearized model dynamics newly synthesized H-infinity scheme. results obtained from experiments essential agreement numerical simulation also produced. Overall, SAVGS demonstrates promising average 3 dB attenuation (or equivalently 30% reduction) chassis vertical acceleration around human-sensitive frequencies (2–5 Hz), compared passive system. More importantly, indicates practicality solution, retrofit real achieved simple modifications, compact actuator packaging, small mass increment (21.5 kg increase respect vehicle), limited usage (an value 134 W dc batteries Class D random road), acceptable economic cost.