Toward a Finite-Time Energy-Saving Robust Control Method for Active Suspension Systems: Exploiting Beneficial State-Coupling, Disturbance, and Nonlinearities

A novel control method of addressing coupling and disturbance influences for finite-time energy-saving robust control of active suspension systems (ASSs) is investigated. By elaborately constructing coupling and disturbance effect indicators, the pros and cons of coupling and disturbance influences on ASSs are discussed, and then a finite-time coupling and disturbance effects-triggered control method is designed via a second-order sliding mode control technique. Importantly, the good/bad coupling effects are assessed through a well-designed nonlinear function. By means of determining if the sign of disturbances conforms to the expected motion or not, the addition of beneficial disturbance effects or removal of detrimental disturbance effects is implemented. Noticeably, by employing a bioinspired nonlinear reference model, beneficial nonlinear stiffness and damping effects are thus utilized, leading to the possibility of energy-saving performance. As a result, the proposed control method exhibits a unique feature, i.e., fully employing potential contribution from the coupling and disturbance effects, and presents a totally new coupling and disturbance effects-triggered control framework, leading to obvious performance improvement. Benchmark experimental conclusions are devoted to distinguishing the advantages and effectiveness of the designed tracking method.