# Matching, Stability, and Vibration Analysis of Nonlinear Suspension System for Truck Cabs

Authors: Fuxing Yang; Leilei Zhao; Yuewei Yu; Changcheng Zhou
Journal: Shock and Vibration
 (2019)

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## Abstract

To improve comfort, a nonlinear suspension system is proposed on the basis of the nonlinear vibration isolation theory and the installation space of the cab suspension system for trucks. This system is suitable for all-floating cabs. For easy matching and design, the static and stability characteristics of the suspension system were analyzed, respectively, and the boundary condition for the stability of the system was given. Moreover, the cab simulation model was established, and the dynamic simulation was conducted. The stability analysis shows that the smaller the vibration excitation of the cab system, the higher its stability is. The dynamic simulation results show that the acceleration of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system is effectively suppressed; the dynamic deflection of the suspension is kept within a certain range, and the design space of the suspension stroke can be effectively utilized. Compared with the traditional linear suspension system, the nonlinear suspension system has better vibration isolation characteristics and can effectively improve ride comfort.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Transportation industry plays an important role in the national economy of any country. As the main body of the transport industry, the stability and ride comfort of trucks have attracted much attention [1, 2]. The suspension system of truck cabs, as one of the main vibration isolation systems, directly affects the ride comfort of drivers. Scholars have conducted a large number of theoretical and experimental studies on this issue [3–5].The vibration isolation system for cabs has various forms. With the continuous improvement of driving comfort requirements, the all-floating cab has become gradually popular [6]. The air suspension system is only used in the cab of the high-end vehicles because of its high price. The common coil springs or rubber springs are usually used in the suspension system of the cab for ordinary vehicles. However, their high dynamic stiffness and poor low-frequency vibration isolation result in poor ride comfort. Previous studies on cab vibration of commercial vehicles mostly focused on the optimization of passive suspensions [7, 8]. In order to improve vehicle comfort, some scholars have adopted active or semiactive control methods [9, 10], but they have not been applied in practice for many years. For passive suspensions, if their stiffness is larger, the ride comfort will be worse; if their stiffness is smaller, the suspension deflection will be larger. The high static stiffness and low-dynamic stiffness suspension is an effective solution to the above contradictions. The design of many systems involves stability issues [11, 12]. In the design of such suspension systems, attention should be paid to the stability of the system.Many scholars have conducted a lot of research on the vibration isolation system with high static stiffness and low dynamic stiffness. The most typical structure consists of two oblique springs and one vertical linear spring [13]. Some scholars also applied active control method [14] and new materials [15] to generate negative stiffness, so as to enhance the isolation performance of the vibration isolation system. Zhou et al. [16] analyzed the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of a quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolator. Huang et al. [17] proposed a method to design a quasi-zero-stiffness system by the parallel connection of the linear spring and the Euler buckling beam with negative stiffness. Meng et al. [18] proposed a design of a quasi-zero-stiffness isolator based on a disk spring and studied the influence of system parameters on the force transfer rate by means of the average method. Le et al. [19] designed a quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolation system by parallel connection of two connecting rods and springs, applied it to the vibration isolation of automobile seats, and achieved good vibration isolation effect. Xu et al. [20] designed a low frequency vibration isolator with quasi-zero-stiffness characteristics by using the magnetic spring. Carrella et al. [21] designed a vibration isolation system with high static stiffness and low dynamic stiffness by combining the linear spring and the magnet spring. In [22], a method for obtaining negative stiffness by using the nonlinear interval of hyperelastic materials was proposed. A method of generating negative stiffness by using the magnetic nonlinearity was proposed in [23]. Zhou et al. researched a novel quasi-zero-stiffness strut and its applications [24, 25]. In [26], a Stewart isolator with negative stiffness magnetic springs was analyzed.Previous studies have mostly focused on the form, principle, and characteristics of the quasi-zero-stiffness isolators and rarely applied them to the cab vibration isolation system. Based on the nonlinear vibration isolation theory and the installation space of the suspension system, this paper applied the nonlinear suspension system to the all-floating cab. Moreover, its static and stability characteristics were analyzed, respectively. The simulation model of the truck cab was established by using MATLAB software, and the comfort simulation was carried out.


## 2. The Cab with the Nonlinear Suspension System

Figure1 shows the nonlinear suspension system for truck cabs, which consists of the front suspension and the rear suspension. “lij” denotes the distance from the mounting point of the suspension to the cab mass center. “i” denotes “f” and “r,” respectively; “j” denotes “R” and “L,” respectively; “f,” “r,” “R,” and “L” denotes front, rear, right, and left, respectively. Each suspension uses a pair of transverse linear springs to generate negative stiffness in the vertical direction, and a quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolation system is formed in parallel with the vertical positive stiffness linear springs. At the static equilibrium position, the negative stiffness produced by the negative stiffness adjusting mechanism and the positive stiffness produced by the vertical spring cancel each other, and the quasi-zero-stiffness characteristic can be obtained [27].Figure 1
The cab with the nonlinear suspension system.In order to facilitate engineering application, the original cab system is equivalent to four single-degree-of-freedom systems, and matching research is carried out separately. The equivalent system is shown in Figure2, where mi is the equivalent spring mass of the ith suspension system; KH is the stiffness of the transverse spring; LH is the installation space of the transverse spring; KV is the stiffness of the vertical spring; C is the damping coefficient of the suspension system; zi is the vertical displacement of the ith equivalent spring mass; and qi is the vertical displacement excitation of the ith suspension system.Figure 2
The equivalent suspension system.


## 3. Matching and Static Characteristic Analysis of the Nonlinear Suspension System

The matching and the static characteristics of the nonlinear suspension system are important considerations in the cab design. After the suspension space structure and the performance parameters are determined, the dynamic characteristics of the system are determined accordingly. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to match the structure and performance parameters of the mount system.


### 3.1. Matching of the Nonlinear Suspension System

When the cab weight is applied to the suspension system, the mass supported by each suspension can be obtained by force analysis:(1)mfL=ml2lfRl1+l2lfL+lfR,mfR=ml2lfLl1+l2lfL+lfR,mrL=ml1lfRl1+l2lfL+lfR,mrR=ml1lrLl1+l2lfL+lfR.In practical engineering applications, it can be approximately considered that the center of the cab mass coincides with the geometric center, thus(2)mfL=mfR=mrL=mrR=m4=m0.After static balance, the transverse spring is just in the horizontal position (recorded as the equilibrium position). The relationship between the compression valueLV, the equivalent mass mi, and the vertical spring stiffness KV can be expressed as follows:(3)KVLV=mig.According to the vertical motion space of the cab,LV can be determined. According to equation (3), KV can be determined as(4)KV=migLV.According to the lateral mounting space of the transverse spring,LH can be determined. According to the geometric relationship, the original length L0 of the transverse spring can be determined by comparing before and after static balance:(5)L0=LV2+LH2.According to the geometric relationship, when the relative motion between the frame and the cab occurs, the relative displacementu can be expressed as(6)u=zi−qi.According to the principle of virtual work, when the relative displacementu occurs, the relationship between the elastic vertical force F and the relative displacement u of the nonlinear suspension system cab be expressed as follows:(7)F=KVu+2KH1−LV2+LH2u2+LH2u.For the traditional linear suspension system, the relationship between the vertical elastic forceF and the displacement u of the linear suspension system is as follows:(8)F′=KVu.The stiffness characteristics of the nonlinear suspension system can be obtained by calculating the derivative ofF to u by equation (7):(9)K=KV+2KH1−LV2+LH2LH2u2+LH23/2.Letz = 0, the stiffness Ke of the nonlinear suspension system at the static equilibrium position can be expressed as(10)Ke=KV+2KH1−LV2+LH2LH.According to the natural frequencyfi required by the suspension system, the value of Ke can be determined as(11)Ke=mi2πfi2.According to the value ofKe and equations (10) and (11), the stiffness KH of the transverse spring can be determined as(12)KH=mi2πfi2−KV21−LV2+LH2/LH.In special cases, in order to achieve zero stiffness at the equilibrium position,Ke = 0, so the stiffness of the transverse spring can be further expressed as(13)KH=KV2LV2+LH2/LH−1.From equation (9), we obtain the following:(14)K−KV=2KH1−LV2+LH2LH2u2+LH23/2.LetK − KV ≤ 0 and based on equation (14), the interval that the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension is less than that of the linear suspension can be obtained as(15)−LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2≤u≤LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2.The interval that the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension is larger than that of the linear suspension can be obtained as(16)−LH≤u≤−LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2,LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2≤u≤LH.For example, in order to improve the comfort of a heavy truck, the nonlinear suspension system for the cab can be matched according to the method provided in this study. The cab mass center and the geometric center approximately coincide. The cab massm equals 880 kg. According to the installation space requirement of the suspension system, we can determine LV = 45 mm and LH = 60 mm. In order to achieve zero stiffness at static equilibrium position, KH = 95.82 N/mm and KV = 47.91 N/mm are determined, respectively. Figure 3 is the relationship curve between the vertical elastic force F and the displacement u of the suspension system. From Figure 3, it can be seen that near the equilibrium position, the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is close to zero. When u ∈ [−24, 24] mm, the dynamic stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is lower than that of the traditional linear suspension system, which can attenuate the cab vibration better. When u < [−45, −24] mm or u < [24, 45] mm, the dynamic stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is greater than that of the traditional linear suspension system, which can better limit the large-scale vibration of the cab.Figure 3
The curves of the nonlinear suspension system: (a) the elastic vertical forceF versus the relative displacement u and (b) the suspension stiffness K versus the relative displacement u.
(a)
(b)


### 3.2. Influence of System Parameters on Static Characteristics

According to the matching method mentioned above, the static characteristics of the nonlinear suspension system are affected by the natural frequencyfi, the compression value LV, and the installation space LH of the transverse spring. In order to grasp the influence of parameters on the static characteristics, Figure 4 was drawn based on equation (9). Figure 4(a) shows that with the increase of the natural frequency fi of the static equilibrium position, the low-frequency vibration isolation region [−24, 24] mm remains unchanged, but the stiffness of the region increases and that of other regions decreases. From Figure 4(b), it can be seen that increasing the installation space LH of the transverse spring is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation area. From Figure 4(c), it can be seen that increasing the compression value LV is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation region, but the stiffness of the limit region is also reduced.Figure 4
The curve ofK versus u for the nonlinear suspension system: (a) at different values of fi, (b) at different values of LH, and (c) at different values of LH.
(a)
(b)
(c)


## 3.1. Matching of the Nonlinear Suspension System

When the cab weight is applied to the suspension system, the mass supported by each suspension can be obtained by force analysis:(1)mfL=ml2lfRl1+l2lfL+lfR,mfR=ml2lfLl1+l2lfL+lfR,mrL=ml1lfRl1+l2lfL+lfR,mrR=ml1lrLl1+l2lfL+lfR.In practical engineering applications, it can be approximately considered that the center of the cab mass coincides with the geometric center, thus(2)mfL=mfR=mrL=mrR=m4=m0.After static balance, the transverse spring is just in the horizontal position (recorded as the equilibrium position). The relationship between the compression valueLV, the equivalent mass mi, and the vertical spring stiffness KV can be expressed as follows:(3)KVLV=mig.According to the vertical motion space of the cab,LV can be determined. According to equation (3), KV can be determined as(4)KV=migLV.According to the lateral mounting space of the transverse spring,LH can be determined. According to the geometric relationship, the original length L0 of the transverse spring can be determined by comparing before and after static balance:(5)L0=LV2+LH2.According to the geometric relationship, when the relative motion between the frame and the cab occurs, the relative displacementu can be expressed as(6)u=zi−qi.According to the principle of virtual work, when the relative displacementu occurs, the relationship between the elastic vertical force F and the relative displacement u of the nonlinear suspension system cab be expressed as follows:(7)F=KVu+2KH1−LV2+LH2u2+LH2u.For the traditional linear suspension system, the relationship between the vertical elastic forceF and the displacement u of the linear suspension system is as follows:(8)F′=KVu.The stiffness characteristics of the nonlinear suspension system can be obtained by calculating the derivative ofF to u by equation (7):(9)K=KV+2KH1−LV2+LH2LH2u2+LH23/2.Letz = 0, the stiffness Ke of the nonlinear suspension system at the static equilibrium position can be expressed as(10)Ke=KV+2KH1−LV2+LH2LH.According to the natural frequencyfi required by the suspension system, the value of Ke can be determined as(11)Ke=mi2πfi2.According to the value ofKe and equations (10) and (11), the stiffness KH of the transverse spring can be determined as(12)KH=mi2πfi2−KV21−LV2+LH2/LH.In special cases, in order to achieve zero stiffness at the equilibrium position,Ke = 0, so the stiffness of the transverse spring can be further expressed as(13)KH=KV2LV2+LH2/LH−1.From equation (9), we obtain the following:(14)K−KV=2KH1−LV2+LH2LH2u2+LH23/2.LetK − KV ≤ 0 and based on equation (14), the interval that the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension is less than that of the linear suspension can be obtained as(15)−LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2≤u≤LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2.The interval that the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension is larger than that of the linear suspension can be obtained as(16)−LH≤u≤−LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2,LV2+LH2LH22/3−LH2≤u≤LH.For example, in order to improve the comfort of a heavy truck, the nonlinear suspension system for the cab can be matched according to the method provided in this study. The cab mass center and the geometric center approximately coincide. The cab massm equals 880 kg. According to the installation space requirement of the suspension system, we can determine LV = 45 mm and LH = 60 mm. In order to achieve zero stiffness at static equilibrium position, KH = 95.82 N/mm and KV = 47.91 N/mm are determined, respectively. Figure 3 is the relationship curve between the vertical elastic force F and the displacement u of the suspension system. From Figure 3, it can be seen that near the equilibrium position, the stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is close to zero. When u ∈ [−24, 24] mm, the dynamic stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is lower than that of the traditional linear suspension system, which can attenuate the cab vibration better. When u < [−45, −24] mm or u < [24, 45] mm, the dynamic stiffness of the nonlinear suspension system is greater than that of the traditional linear suspension system, which can better limit the large-scale vibration of the cab.Figure 3
The curves of the nonlinear suspension system: (a) the elastic vertical forceF versus the relative displacement u and (b) the suspension stiffness K versus the relative displacement u.
(a)
(b)


## 3.2. Influence of System Parameters on Static Characteristics

According to the matching method mentioned above, the static characteristics of the nonlinear suspension system are affected by the natural frequencyfi, the compression value LV, and the installation space LH of the transverse spring. In order to grasp the influence of parameters on the static characteristics, Figure 4 was drawn based on equation (9). Figure 4(a) shows that with the increase of the natural frequency fi of the static equilibrium position, the low-frequency vibration isolation region [−24, 24] mm remains unchanged, but the stiffness of the region increases and that of other regions decreases. From Figure 4(b), it can be seen that increasing the installation space LH of the transverse spring is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation area. From Figure 4(c), it can be seen that increasing the compression value LV is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation region, but the stiffness of the limit region is also reduced.Figure 4
The curve ofK versus u for the nonlinear suspension system: (a) at different values of fi, (b) at different values of LH, and (c) at different values of LH.
(a)
(b)
(c)


## 4. Analysis of Amplitude-frequency Characteristics and Stability

Let the exact analytical expression of the nonlinear spring force beF(u), then the Taylor expansion of F(u) at u = u0 is expressed as(17)Fu=Fu0+∑n=1NFnu0n!u−u0n.In order to explore the inherent characteristics of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system, the third-order Taylor expansion ofF(u) is adopted in this study:(18)Fu≈F0+∑n=13Fn0n!u−0n.Therefore, the relationship between the elastic vertical forceF and the displacement u of the nonlinear suspension system can be approximately expressed as(19)Fu=k1u+k3u3,where k1=KV+21−LV2+LH2/LHKH and k3=LV2+LH2/LH3KH.A comparison of the curves between the elastic vertical forceF and the displacement u of the nonlinear suspension system determined by formulas (7) and (19) is shown in Figure 5. By comparison, the approximate curve can approximate the exact curve better. Therefore, it is feasible to approximate the exact analytical expression of the nonlinear spring force by using the third-order Taylor expansion.Figure 5
A comparison of the curves between the elastic vertical force F and the displacementu of the nonlinear suspension system.From Figure2, the vibration equation of the equivalent cab system can be obtained as follows:(20)md2zdt2+Fu+cdudt=0.Substituting equations (6) and (19) into equation (20), we obtain the following:(21)md2udt2+d2qdt2+k1u+k3u3+cdudt=0.Equation (21) can be further expressed as(22)md2udt2+k1u+k3u3+cdudt=−md2qdt2.Suppose the excitation of the frame is(23)d2qdt2=−Y0cosωt+φ,where Y0 is the vibration acceleration amplitude of the frame.Substituting equation (23) into equation (22), we obtain the following:(24)md2udt2+cdudt+k1u+k3u3=mY0ωt+φ.By the identical transformation of equation (24), we obtain the following:(25)d2udt2+cmdudt+k1mu+k3mu3=Y0cosωt+φ.By the variable substitution for equation (25), we obtain the following:(26)d2udt2+2ndudt+p2u+εu3=Y0cosωt+φ,where n is the attenuation coefficient, p is the undamped natural frequency, and 2n = c/m, p2 = k1/m, and ε = k3/m.Suppose the principal resonance response nearω ≈ p for equation (26) is as follows:(27)u=Acosωt,where A is the amplitude of the relative displacement u under the simple harmonic oscillation.Equation (27) is substituted into equation (26), and the third harmonic is ignored. Then, let the corresponding coefficients on both sides equal, we obtain the following equation:(28)34εA3+p2−ω2A=Y0cosφ,2nωA=ω2sinφ.Based on equation (28), the equation of amplitude-frequency characteristic curve can be obtained as follows [28]:(29)p2−ω2A+34εA32+4n2ω2A2=Y02.Calculating the derivative of equation (29) to A, we get(30)ddA34εA3+p2−ω2A2+4n2ω2A2=0.Simplifying equation (30), we obtain the following:(31)34εA2+p2−ω294εA2+p2−ω2+4n2ω2=0.The stability condition of periodic solutions is as follows:(32)34εA2+p2−ω294εA2+p2−ω2+4n2ω2>0.For example, the amplitude-frequency characteristic curves of the designed cab with the nonlinear suspension system in this paper under different excitation accelerations are shown in Figure6. To show the advantage of the nonlinear suspension, the characteristic curves of the linear suspension with the vertical stiffness KV = 47.91 N/mm were also plotted in Figure 6. The analysis shows that with the increase of the excitation intensity, the peak of the vibration response shifts to the right, and the unstable region increases gradually. At the same time, the response amplitude A also increases. Thus, for the cab with the nonlinear suspension system, the smaller the vibration excitation, the better the stability is. In addition, it can also be seen that the response amplitude A of the nonlinear suspension is obviously less than that of the linear suspension for Y0 = 20 m/s2 in the range of 0∼2.5 Hz; for the response amplitude A, there is a slight difference between the two suspensions for Y0 = 10 m/s2. The results show that, in the stable region, when the excitation is larger, the advantages of the nonlinear suspension are more obvious.Figure 6
The amplitude-frequency characteristic curves of the designed cab with the nonlinear suspension system.


## 5. Dynamic Modelling

The cab system is a very complex multi-degree-of-freedom elastic structure. In order to compare and verify the isolation effect of the nonlinear suspension, a 3-DOF (degree-of-freedom) model of the cab system is considered in this paper. According to Figure1, the differential equations of the vibration system can be obtained as follows:(33)md2zcdt2=−F1−c1dz1dt−dq1dt−F3−c3dz3dt−dq3dt−F2−c2dz2dt−dq2dt−F4−c4dz4dt−dq4dt,Ixd2θdt2=−F1+c1dz1dt−dq1dtlfL+F3+c3dz3dt−dq3dtlfR−F2+c2dz2dt−dq2dtlrL+F4+c4dz4dt−dq4dtlrR,Iyd2φdt2=F1+c1dz1dt−dq1dtl1+F3+c3dz3dt−dq3dtl1−F2+c2dz2dt−dq2dtl2−F4+c4dz4dt−dq4dtl2,where for the force Fi (i = 1, 2, 3, 4), when determined by equation (7), it is a nonlinear elastic force and when determined by equation (8), it is a linear elastic force.According to the above dynamic equations, the 3-DOF simulation model of the cab system is established by using MATLAB software, as shown in Figure7. On this basis, the performance analysis of the nonlinear suspension system can be carried out. The model parameters used in the analysis are shown in Table 1.Figure 7
The simulation model.Table 1
The mechanical parameters known.
Mechanical parameters
Values
Mechanical parameters
Values
m (kg)
880
l
1 (m)
0.852
I
x (kg·m2)
816
l
2 (m)
0.852
I
y (kg·m2)
778
L
H (m)
0.060
l
fL (m)
0.542
L
V (m)
0.045
l
fR (m)
0.542
K
H (N/mm)
95.82
l
rL (m)
0.550
K
V (N/mm)
49.91
l
rR (m)
0.550
c (Ns/m)
3500


## 6. Dynamic Simulation Analysis

In order to verify the validity and applicability of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system designed in this paper, this section focuses on the analysis of acceleration and suspension travel response characteristics by comparing with the linear suspension system. In this paper, the random vibration signals of the frame collected by a heavy truck driving at a speed of 75 km/h on the highway (in [29]) are used as the model excitation.


### 6.1. Simulation Analysis of the Cab Vertical Acceleration

In order to analyze the comfort improvement of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system, the time-domain response and the power spectral density of the cab vertical acceleration were numerically modeled based on the simulation model. In this paper, the timeT = 100 s is chosen to calculate the cab vertical acceleration. The calculation results are shown in Figure 8.Figure 8
The cab vertical acceleration: (a) the time-domain response and (b) the power spectral density response.
(a)
(b)Figure8(a) shows that compared with the traditional linear suspension, the vertical acceleration of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system decreases significantly and the RMS (root mean square) acceleration value decreases by 49.1%. Figure 8(b) shows that the power spectral density of the cab vertical vibration acceleration decreases significantly in the low-frequency stage after the use of the nonlinear suspension. The results show that, in the low-frequency stage, the nonlinear suspension system has good vibration isolation characteristics, which can effectively reduce the cab vibration and improve ride comfort.


### 6.2. Simulation Analysis of the Suspension Dynamic Deflection

Figure9 is the simulation result of the suspension dynamic deflection. From Figure 9, it can be seen that the change trend of the travel of the nonlinear suspension is basically the same as that of the linear suspension. The dynamic deflection of each nonlinear suspension is not more than 45 mm, and the travel is within the allowable range. After using the nonlinear suspension system, the dynamic deflection values of the four suspensions increase slightly, thus making full use of the suspension design space. The results show that the nonlinear suspension system can well limit the large-scale motion of the cab and avoid collision with the limit block. Therefore, the proposed engineering design scheme of the nonlinear suspension system for truck cabs is feasible.Figure 9
The suspension dynamic deflection responses for (a) the front left suspension, (b) the rear left suspension, (c) the front right suspension, and (d) the rear right suspension.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


## 6.1. Simulation Analysis of the Cab Vertical Acceleration

In order to analyze the comfort improvement of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system, the time-domain response and the power spectral density of the cab vertical acceleration were numerically modeled based on the simulation model. In this paper, the timeT = 100 s is chosen to calculate the cab vertical acceleration. The calculation results are shown in Figure 8.Figure 8
The cab vertical acceleration: (a) the time-domain response and (b) the power spectral density response.
(a)
(b)Figure8(a) shows that compared with the traditional linear suspension, the vertical acceleration of the cab with the nonlinear suspension system decreases significantly and the RMS (root mean square) acceleration value decreases by 49.1%. Figure 8(b) shows that the power spectral density of the cab vertical vibration acceleration decreases significantly in the low-frequency stage after the use of the nonlinear suspension. The results show that, in the low-frequency stage, the nonlinear suspension system has good vibration isolation characteristics, which can effectively reduce the cab vibration and improve ride comfort.


## 6.2. Simulation Analysis of the Suspension Dynamic Deflection

Figure9 is the simulation result of the suspension dynamic deflection. From Figure 9, it can be seen that the change trend of the travel of the nonlinear suspension is basically the same as that of the linear suspension. The dynamic deflection of each nonlinear suspension is not more than 45 mm, and the travel is within the allowable range. After using the nonlinear suspension system, the dynamic deflection values of the four suspensions increase slightly, thus making full use of the suspension design space. The results show that the nonlinear suspension system can well limit the large-scale motion of the cab and avoid collision with the limit block. Therefore, the proposed engineering design scheme of the nonlinear suspension system for truck cabs is feasible.Figure 9
The suspension dynamic deflection responses for (a) the front left suspension, (b) the rear left suspension, (c) the front right suspension, and (d) the rear right suspension.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


## 7. Conclusions

Based on the nonlinear vibration isolation principle, a nonlinear suspension system for the all-floating cab was designed in this paper. The static characteristics and stability of the system were analyzed. The influences of the nonlinear suspension on the mechanical properties of the cab were simulated and analyzed by using MATLAB. Through this study, the following conclusions were drawn:(1)
With the increase of the natural frequencyfi of the static equilibrium position, the low-frequency vibration isolation region remains unchanged, but the stiffness of the region increases and that of other regions decreases. Increasing the installation space LH of the transverse spring is helpful to reduce the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation area. Increasing the compression value LV is helpful in reducing the stiffness of the low-frequency vibration isolation region, but the stiffness of the limit region is also reduced.(2)
With the increase of the excitation intensity, the peak of the vibration response shifts to the right and the unstable region increases gradually. Meanwhile, the response amplitudeA also increases. For the cab with the nonlinear suspension system, the smaller the vibration excitation, the higher the stability is.(3)
Compared with the linear suspension system, the vibration isolation frequency range of the nonlinear suspension system is wider, especially in the low-frequency stage. It has good vibration isolation characteristics, which can effectively reduce cab vibration and improve ride comfort. Moreover, after using the nonlinear suspension system, the dynamic stiffness of the suspension decreases and the dynamic deflection increases slightly, making full use of the design space of the suspension stroke.



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*Source: 1490980-2019-10-07.xml*