Modelling and analysis of parallel-interlinked air suspension system based on a transfer characterisation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the transferring characteristic and the matching method for interlinked air suspension. Firstly, a structure analysis of parallel air suspension system is given. According to gas thermodynamics and vehicle dynamics, the half vehicle model of the parallel-interlinked air suspension is built. Secondly, the nonlinear dynamic model is linearised by using Taylor series expansion. A comparison analysis of different suspension characteristics between the interlinked and non-interlinked air suspension is carried out. Finally, an experimental study is conducted to validate the simulation results. We found that parallel interlinked air suspension has little effect on the acceleration of the vehicle body during the straight-line driving condition. Most meaningfully, interlinked air suspension could significantly decrease the amplitude of roll angle, which is an important characteristic of the attitude stability. Moreover, the proposed interlinked air springs can reduce the dynamic load of unsprung mass, and improve the road friendliness of vehicles.