Optimal Control of Active Suspension for a High Speed Ground Vehicle : Analysis of a Two-DOF Model with a Pneumatic Actuator

Abstract

Actively controlled suspensions are required to realize a high stability and a high ride quality for high speed ground vehicles running on a rough surface. Recently actively controlled suspensions have been researched and developed for automobiles, railway cars and magnetically levitated vehicles. In this paper, optimal control systems for a two-DOF model of vehicle suspension are designed by optimal regulator theory, considering the dynamic characteristics of an air spring and a pneumatic actuator. Stability, ride quality and control input are discussed through frequency response and power spectral analysis.