Review on Development of High-Static–Low-Dynamic-Stiffness Seat Cushion Mattress for Vibration Control of Seating Suspension System

Abstract

This review focuses on studying passive vibration isolation techniques and their applications. Advantages and disadvantages of different vibration isolation techniques will be compared in order to find an innovative method to reduce seating suspension system vibration and improve the ride comfort of vehicles’ drivers. Quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) isolators of high-static–low-dynamic stiffness are found to have good application prospects in low-frequency vibration isolation. In order to improve the isolation performance of the seating suspension system, a specially made seat cushion will be studied where a quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) isolator such as a double-diamond isolator is selected as one of the cells/units/elements of the seat cushion mattress. The double-diamond isolator structure does not represent the whole seating suspension system. The transmissibility ratio of the double-diamond isolator is evaluated by analytical and simulation models and compared to that of a conventional linear spring isolator. Although the performance of the passive vibration isolation/control system is usually worse than that of the active or semi-active control system, the cost of the passive vibration isolation/control system is lower than that of the active and semi-active control system, and the relative simplicity of adding a vibration isolation cushion mattress in an existing passive seating suspension system makes it low in cost, easy to implement, and more attractive than the active and semi-active vibration control systems.