Comparison of Passive and Semi-Active Horizontal Platform Suspensions

Abstract

In this paper modelling, control and optimization of a kinematically excited horizontal platform is presented. The platform with two independent mutually perpendicular suspension units is designed to mitigate horizontal vibration of the operator seat in the excavator cabin. Three types of suspension between the lower part of the platform and the cabin and between the lower part and the upper part of the platform are investigated, namely passive suspension, idealized semi-active suspension and suspension equipped with magnetorheological dampers. Their design parameters are optimized. The improvement of the magnetorheological/idealized semi-active platform suspension in reducing the vibration total value of the frequency weighted effective accelerations in two mutually perpendicular horizontal directions, compared with the passive platform suspension, is 26,3%/70,8%. The magnitude of the vibration total value of the passive/magnetorheological/idealized semi-active platform suspension is 0,4547m·s−2 (a little uncomfortable)/0,3352 m·s−2 (a little uncomfortable)/0,1328 m·s−2 (not uncomfortable).

Keywords

• horizontal platform
• magnetorheological damper
• optimization
• passive suspension
• semi-active suspension