Comparative Analysis of Passive and Semi-Active Suspension System for Quarter Car Model using PID Controller

In this paper the importance of self tuning adaptive PID control scheme for automotive suspension system is explained. The objective of this study is to obtain a mathematical model for the passive and semi-active suspension system for quarter car model. Current automobile suspension system employs springs and damper with fixed coefficient. Vehicle suspension systems are typically rated by their ability to provide good road handling and improve passenger comfort. Passive suspension offers either one of these two conflicting criteria. However, Semi-Active suspension poses the ability to provide both, handling and comfort by directly controlling the suspension force actuators. In this study, the self tuning Proportional Integral Differential Controller (PID) technique is implemented to the semi-active suspension system for a quarter car model. Comparisons between passive and semi-active suspension system are performed for different types of road profiles. The performance of the P, PD, PI and PID – controllers are compared with the passive suspension system.