Model Predictive Control of a Semi-Active Vehicle-Mounted Vibration Isolation Platform

Area of Science:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Control Systems Engineering
• Automotive Engineering

Background:

• Complex terrain causes significant vibrations in delivery vehicles, endangering onboard equipment and cargo.
• Existing vibration isolation systems struggle with complex terrain and preview information, limiting their effectiveness.
• Semi-active control with road preview offers potential for improved stability by reducing vertical acceleration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel semi-active vibration isolation control system for vehicle-mounted platforms.
• To enhance the stability of cargo and instruments by minimizing vertical acceleration during transit over uneven surfaces.
• To design a model predictive control algorithm capable of handling complex constraints and utilizing road preview data.

Main Methods:

• A combined dynamic model of the vehicle and platform was established.
• A continuous damping control damper model was developed to capture non-linear damping force characteristics.
• An advanced model predictive control algorithm incorporating forward road preview and input constraints was designed.
• Simulations and real-world tests were conducted to evaluate the system's performance.

Main Results:

• The developed model predictive control algorithm effectively reduced vertical acceleration experienced by the vehicle-mounted platform.
• External characteristic tests validated the continuous damping control damper model.
• Both simulation and real-world tests confirmed the superior vibration isolation performance compared to conventional methods.
• The system demonstrated significant improvements in the overall vibration isolation of the vehicle-mounted platform.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model predictive control strategy based on road preview significantly enhances vibration isolation performance for vehicle-mounted platforms.
• This technology offers a viable solution for protecting sensitive equipment and cargo during transport over challenging terrains.
• The integration of road preview and advanced control algorithms is crucial for optimizing vehicle stability and payload protection.