Hybrid Fuzzy Control of Semi-Active Suspension System Using Magnetorheological Damper

The semi-active suspension systems equipped with a magnetorheological (MR) damper are extensively used due to their improved performance in vibration reduction. Supplying proper voltage as an input, the MR fluid behavior will form a solid-state, controlling stiffness and damping in semi-active suspensions. Incorporating the benefits of active suspension and passive suspension, a semi-active suspension with an MR damper offers a mechanically simple, safe, and low power consumption solution. This study develops an extended fuzzy control strategy to improve ride control under road disturbances. To this aim, a quarter car model is adopted where the modified Bouc-Wen MR damper model is utilized to control damping force via a fuzzy control and a proportional-integral control. Several simulations are carried out with the designed controller under both bump and sinusoidal types of road disturbances. The merits of the proposed controller are compared with a classical fuzzy controller and uncontrolled case, wherein a significant improvement in reducing body displacement as well as suspension deflections is achieved.