Semi-active suspensions: an optimal control strategy for a quarter-car model

Abstract The problem considered in this paper is the design of control algorithms for semi-active suspensions in road vehicles. The most commonly used control framework is the well-known Sky-Hook (SH) damping. Two-state or linear approximation of the SH concept are typically used. The goal of this paper is to propose an innovative control strategy, named Acceleration-Driven-Damper (ADD) control. It is shown that ADD is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the vertical body acceleration (comfort objective) when no road-preview is available. This control strategy is very simple; it requires the same sensors of the SH algorithms, and a two-state active damper. This control strategy is developed and analyzed on a 5th -order quarter-car model.