Trial Production of a Shock Absorber by Means of Piezoelectric Actuators and Its Active Control

Abstract

When an object in motion crashes against something, a shock is generated. An equipment to relieve this shock is a shock absorber. In this paper, a shock absorber is made on an experimental basis by using piezoelectric actuators and its damping characteristics can be controlled activity. Piezoelectric actuators have a fast response and a large generation force and these characteristics are suitable for the shock absorber. In this shock absorber, an displacement of piezoelectric actuators is enlarged by connecting in series and an area of orifice is controllable widely by improving the shape of its valve. Fuzzy control theory is applied to the shock absorber and a resisting force is controlled in order that nearly ideal shock absorbing characteristics are realized for various crashes compared.