Variable structure active suspension system

The active suspension of vehicles for greater ride comfort on rough roads is investigated in the literature using optimal control and MRAC schemes. A new approach, based on variable structure control, for the design of a model following active suspension system is presented in this paper. The controller design is nonadaptive and therefore does not require the update of control parameters. It ensures model-following even if the suspension parameters are unknown or change rapidly in a given range. Simulation results for rapid and substantial variations in suspension parameters confirm the advantages of this method. The proposed method is robust to fast unmodelled actuator lag.