Experimental investigation and mathematical modeling of automotive passive damper for SUV suspension system

Abstract

Dampers are energy dissipating devices used along with energy absorbing devices like coil springs to form the major parts of an automobile suspension system. They provide the passengers of the vehicle the desired comfort and the vehicle the necessary stability and road holding. In the present work, a viscous damper of twin tube design working in the passive mode is evaluated on a damper testing machine and its performance is characterized. Its behavior at different velocities and frequencies of excitation is studied. Using the dissipated energy method, the equivalent damping coefficient of the damper is calculated for different frequencies of excitation. Mathematical models are developed for the force vs velocity behavior of the damper as the damper force is a function of the damper piston velocity. These mathematical models based on the experimental results will be very much useful in designing an alternative or improved suspension system for the vehicle under consideration. © 2020 Author(s).