On optimal control of multichamber suspensions

This paper deals with the technological analysis, and optimal control of multichamber suspensions for automotive applications. Multichamber suspensions are composed by a variable damping shock absorber and an air-spring equipped with at least an auxiliary volume. The auxiliary volume is connected to the air-spring main chamber through a two-state valve. This configuration allows for a rapid change of both the damping and the stiffness of the suspension. The first goal of this paper is to model and analyze the behaviour of the suspension, the second goal is to investigate the potential benefit of this architecture from the comfort point of view. To this aim, the paper proposes an optimal benchmark controller and tests it in simulation showing comfort improvements up to 16% with respect to state-of-the-art solution of a passive soft spring and semi-active damping control.