Dynamic characterization of controlled multi-channel semi-active magnetorheological fluid mount

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, a novel structure of a controlled multi-channel semi-active magnetorheological (MR) fluid mount is proposed, including four controlled channels and one rate-dip channel. Firstly, the magnetic circuit analysis, rate-dip channel optimization design, and MR fluid mount damping analysis are given. Secondly, the mathematical model of the controlled multi-channel semi-active MR fluid mount is constructed. We analyze the effect of controlled multi-channel closing on the dynamic characteristics of the mounts and the effect of the presence or absence of the rate-dip channel on the low-frequency isolation of the mount. Finally, the controlled multi-channel semi-active MR fluid mount was applied to the 1/4 vehicle model (a model consisting of an engine, a single engine mount, a single suspension and a vehicle frame), with the transmissibility of the engine relative to the vehicle frame at low frequency and the transmissibility of the engine reciprocating unbalanced force to the vehicle frame magnitude at high frequency as the evaluation index. Numerical simulation shows the following points. (1) The controllable multi-channel semi-active MR fluid mount can achieve adjustable dynamic stiffness and damping with applied 2 A current to different channels. (2) With known external excitation source, applied currents to different controllable channels can achieve the minimum transmissibility and meet the mount wide-frequency vibration isolation requirement, while adding a rate-dip channel can improve the low-frequency vibration isolation performance of the MR fluid mount. (3) Switching and closing different controllable channels in the 1/4 vehicle model can achieve the minimum transmissibility of low-frequency engine vibrations relative to the vehicle frame and high-frequency engine vibrations reciprocating an unbalanced force to the vehicle frame. Therefore, the design of the controllable multi-channel semi-active MR fluid mount can meet the wide-frequency isolation.