THE ACTIVE SUSPENSION BETWEEN CUSTOMER BENEFIT AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETITION

This paper presents the attempts of BMW, in Germany, to define an appropriately designed active suspension system, based on vehicle dynamics measurement and subjective driver rating. It first surveys existing types of suspension systems systematically, and discusses the theoretical scope for their improvement. The following BMW vehicles were investigated: (1) a series production vehicle with active hydro- pneumatic suspension; (2) a test set-up with fully active suspension; (3) a test set-up with active hydro-pneumatic suspension; and (4) a different series production vehicle. Subjective and objective functional assessments were given of the following features of the vehicles: (1) vertical vibrational comfort; (2) handling (lateral and rolling movements); and (3) superimposed dynamics. The hardware requirements for active suspension are discussed. Finally, several findings are presented, based on measurements and on the subjective assessments of a considerable number of drivers. Customers seem to appreciate active suspension, if it is sufficiently effective. However, the costs of such suspension systems are still very high. For the covering abstract see IRRD 870290.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0852988346
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • HILLEBRECHT, P
  • KONIK, D
  • PFEIL, D
  • Wallentowitz, H
  • ZIEGLMEIER, F
• Conference:
  • XXIV FISITA CONGRESS. 7-11 JUNE 1992, LONDON. HELD AT THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVING SOCIETY. TECHNICAL PAPERS. TOTAL VEHICLE DYNAMICS. VOLUME 2. (IMECHE NO. C389/378 AND FISITA NO. 925099)
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 221-30

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Comfort; Compressed air; Conferences; Costs; Design; Driver experience; Drivers; Dynamics; Evaluation and assessment; Hydraulic fluids; Hydraulics; Knowledge; Measurement; Suspension systems; Vehicles; Vibration
• ITRD Terms: 9138: Comfort; 3814: Compressed air; 8525: Conference; 224: Cost; 9011: Design (overall design); 1772: Driver; 5473: Dynamics; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 2225: Experience (human); 5431: Hydraulics (fluid); 6136: Measurement; 1329: Suspension (veh); 1255: Vehicle; 5558: Vibration
• Subject Areas: Design; Finance; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00681197
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-85298-834-6
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 20 1995 12:00AM