A comprehensive comparison of the vehicle vibration energy harvesting abilities of the regenerative shock absorbers predicted by the quarter, half and full vehicle suspension system models

Abstract

Regenerative shock absorber has been studied intensively for generating electricity from motion energy that would have been otherwise dissipated and wasted in the form of heat. Integration of the regenerative shock absorber with the vehicle suspension system can incorporate the interaction between the wheels and vehicle body, resulting in more accurate power output results. This paper presents the modellings of quarter, half and full vehicle suspension system models integrated with regenerative shock absorbers based on the same baseline vehicle. The time domain and frequency domain analyses enable a comprehensive comparison of all three suspension system models to be conducted in terms of the effects of vehicle speeds, position of vehicle center of gravity, road classifications (road class A, C and E) and driving speed cycles. The results suggest that the shift of vehicle center of gravity position does not affect the results of any suspension system models. All three suspension system models can respond well to road classification change and rougher road can yield higher power output. The quarter vehicle suspension system model does not present accurate power output results in the low frequency range. Moreover, it also behaves poorly with the vehicle speed variation, which limits its use to Highway Fuel Economy Test Driving Cycle. The half vehicle suspension system model resembles full vehicle suspension system model really well regardless of frequency range, vehicle speed variations and road classifications, when the transverse road profile is neglected.