Dynamic characteristics of passive and semi-active cabin mounts for vibration control of a wheel loader

Abstract

In this study, the dynamic characteristics of passive mounts and a semi-active magneto-rheological (MR) mount for vibration attenuation of a wheel loader cabin are experimentally evaluated. First, the design procedures of two different passive mounts are described, and the principal design parameters such as stiffness are determined from a simple but practically feasible dynamic model. Then, passive mounts with different material characteristics are manufactured and experimentally tested. Secondly, a semi-active MR mount is designed based on the field-dependent yield stress of MR fluid. A prototype of the MR mount is then manufactured considering two flow paths: annular path and radial path. Subsequently, the dynamic characteristics of the three mounts such as the frequency-dependent stiffness and damping are evaluated, and their salient properties are discussed. In addition, it is shown from the transmissibility investigation that the semi-active MR mount can effectively isolate unwanted vibrations in a wider operating frequency range compared with the passive rubber mounts.