Design of an active and controllable suspension system through hydraulic proportional valves

Abstract

Suspension systems were integrated into vehicles shortly after their invention. This system is responsible for maintaining contact between the vehicle tire and the ground at all times and transmitting the vibrations produced by the terrain to the chassis. In other words, the suspension system is responsible for the handling and comfort of the vehicles. This project proposes the introduction of an active suspension system that allows changing its damping force using a hydraulic valve starting from the definition of its geometry and orifice type according to computational fluid dynamics simulations. Once the geometry and type of the valve are completely defined, the design plans of these parts will be made for their subsequent production. To allow the damping force to vary is necessary to alter the fluid flow inside the suspension system. This is achieved by the use of a valve coupled to an electric machine that allows to vary the opening of the valve and consequently the fluid flow towards the damper of the suspension system. When the electric machine is selected, a suitable control law will also be implemented that, according to the signals of the road the vehicle is on, will determine the necessary opening of the valve at that point, ensuring that the damping force is the optimum at each point. The final results of this project will be tested with road profiles standardized in ISO norms and it will be evaluated according to the corresponding regulations levels of comfort, thus establishing the levels of comfort and maneuverability that would be obtained in a vehicle that implements this system.