Vibration and noise analysis of a vehicle equipped with magneto rheological damper

Magneto rheological fluid, often known as MR fluid or MRF, is a type of smart fluid whose properties can be altered upon the application of magnetic field. Using an applied magnetic field, these fluids can transmit force in a controlled way. Due to its beneficial characteristics, such as low power consumption, force controllability, and quick reaction, it leads to its various possible control-based applications in the automobile sector, such as suspensions, brakes, fluid clutches, etc. In this study, applicability of MR dampers to suppress vibration and noise of an electric vehicle is evaluated using the phenomenological models such as Bingham and Bouc-Wen. These models are integrated into the suspension system of a quarter-car model and its performance is studied using numerical methods. These models involve non-smooth, nonlinear differential equations that can be solved using numerical methods. Model based suspension control systems may be developed for better ride comfort using this approach. The potential of this approach for design of electric vehicles is explored.