Modelling and validation of a seat suspension with rubber spring for off-road vehicles

Abstract

To improve seat performance of low-frequency vibration isolation, this paper investigates a new type of seat suspension with a hollow composite rubber spring. To better describe the real system, a nonlinear suspension model was built. Then, the model parameters were identified and validated, the results show that the model is workable and the identified parameters are acceptable. The acceleration transmissibility of the new suspension was also analyzed by test and simulation. The resonant frequencies measured are close to the simulated under different excitation amplitudes, and all the relative deviations of the resonant frequency are less than 2.0%. Finally, in order to make clear how much the new suspension is better than the traditional suspension with the coil spring, the comparison of ride comfort was conducted under different working conditions. The results show that the new suspension can more effectively attenuate the low frequency from the uneven ground, meanwhile, it can provide a more stable support so that the driver can control the vehicle effectively. The model proposed can be used to predict the performance of the new seat suspension. The new suspension and the model provide a valuable reference for broadening the type of the seat suspension and exploring the optimal performance.