# Design and Research of Semiactive Quasi-Zero Stiffness Vibration Isolation System for Vehicles

Authors: Shaohua Li; Guizhen Feng; Quan Zhao
Journal: Shock and Vibration
 (2021)

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## Abstract

The vehicle-mounted equipment is easy to be disturbed by external vibration excitations during transportation, which is harmful to the measurement accuracy and performance of the equipment. Aiming at the vibration isolation of the vehicle-mounted equipment, a semiactively controlled quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) vibration isolator with positive and negative stiffness is proposed. The vertical spring is paralleled with a magnetorheological (MR) damper, and the semiactive on-off control scheme is adopted to control the vibration. The analytical expression of the isolator’s displacement transmissibility is derived via the averaging method. Then, the vibration isolation performance under different road excitations and different driving speeds is simulated and compared with the uncontrolled passive QZS vibration isolator. In addition, the mechanical structure of the semiactive QZS isolator is designed and manufactured, and the test system is built by LabVIEW software and PXI embedded system. The isolation effect of the semiactive QZS isolator is verified through test data. It is found that the proposed semiactive QZS isolator shows excellent vibration isolation performance under various road excitations, while the passive QZS isolator is effective only under harmonic excitations. The vertical acceleration of vehicle-mounted device can be decreased over 70% after isolation, and the vibration isolation effect is remarkable. The design idea and research results of the semiactive QZS isolator may provide theoretical guidance and engineering reference for vibration isolation.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Vibration isolation is a common method to eliminate or weaken vibration [1, 2]. For vehicle vibration, the traditional linear vibration isolator lacks the ability to isolate low-frequency vibration, and the vibration isolation effect is not obvious for 0–20 Hz low-frequency vibration, even having an amplification effect [3]. In transportation, vehicle-mounted equipment is easily disturbed by multiple external vibration sources, which have adverse effects on the accuracy, performance, and the service life of the equipment. Thus, it is quite necessary to design the vibration isolation suitable for excitations with different frequencies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the vehicle-mounted equipment.In recent years, QZS vibration isolation has become a research hotspot because of its large bearing capacity and extremely low natural frequency, which can effectively isolate low frequencies. It has various forms, such as cam roller [4–6], oblique spring [7–9], disk spring combined with vertical linear springs [10], circular ring [11], magnet [12], inert elements [13], X-shaped structure [14], strut structure [15, 16], and other structural forms [17–20]. And some researchers studied the resonance response of nonlinear vibration [21] and the damping characteristics [22]. Most of the above literatures focus on the QZS vibration isolation characteristics, but the structure and parameters of the uncontrolled QZS vibration isolation system cannot be changed once determined, which is difficult to meet the complex and changeable working conditions and restricts the further improvement and universality of the vibration isolation system.Due to low energy consumption, magnetorheological (MR) damper has been widely used to implement the semiactive control [23, 24]. The modelling of hysteretic characteristics of dampers can be divided into two types: modelling based on physical mechanism and modelling based on external characteristics of macro phenomena. The typical ones are Bouc–Wen model, Preisach model, Duhem model, and neural network model, which can reflect the complex hysteretic characteristics of dampers with multiloops, multibranches, and nonsmoothness. The differential hysteretic model is widely used, such as Duhem model [25]. At present, MR damper is widely used in vehicle suspension control [26–29] and gradually becomes a research hotspot in vehicle vibration isolation. Hu et al. [30] designed a kind of MR damper valve and verified the good damping performance under the sky-hook on-off semiactive control strategy. Dong Chae and Choi [31] proposed a vehicle-mounted vibration isolation system. Using the controllable damping force characteristics of MR damper, the semiactive control effect of the system was analysed and the vibration isolation performance was evaluated. Chae et al. designed a semiactive vibration reduction system for vehicle-mounted stretchers, which used MR dampers as the actuator and realized the vibration isolation control through sliding mode variable structure semiactive control. Gao et al. [32] improved a 4-PUU parallel mechanism as a vehicle stretcher, took MR damper as the output force device, and adopted the LQR method combined with Hrovat algorithm to study the semiactive control and vibration isolation performance of the system. Wang et al. [33] studied the ultralow-frequency vibration isolation in the process of neonatal transport through theory and experiment. However, the research studies considering semiactive control and QZS isolator simultaneously are still seldom found.In this work, a semiactive QZS vibration isolation system with positive and negative stiffness parallel mechanism is proposed. MR damper is installed in parallel to the vertical spring. Through the analysis of the characteristics of MR damper, an improved Bingham model based on excitation current and response speed is established. The semiactive on-off control scheme is developed, and the control effect is simulated under harmonic, stochastic, and semisinusoidal shock excitations at different vehicle speeds. Finally, the mechanical device of the semiactive QZS isolator is designed and manufactured, and the isolation effect of the system is tested based on LabVIEW software and PXI embedded system to verify the effectiveness of the semiactive control scheme and the good vibration isolation performance of the vibration isolation system.


## 2. Design of Semiactive QZS Vibration Isolation System

### 2.1. Modelling of Semiactive QZS Vibration Isolation System

The QZS vibration isolation system controlled by MR semiactive control is shown in Figure1, which is composed of a positive and negative stiffness spring parallel mechanism and MR damper. Here, m is the mass of the vibration isolated object, kv and kh are the vertical spring stiffness and horizontal spring stiffness, respectively, and L is the precompressed length of the horizontal spring. When the system reaches the static equilibrium position, the horizontal spring’s length is l. y is the vertical displacement of the mass object; Pis the excitation force of the system. The damping coefficient is set as ch, and Fc is the damping force provided by MR.Figure 1
QZS vibration isolation system with MR semiactive control.According to D’Alembert’s principle, the dynamic equation of the MR semiactive vibration isolation system is obtained.(1)my¨+chy˙1−Ll2+y2+khy1−Ll2+y2+kvy+Fc=kvq−mg.Compared with the semiactive control system shown in Figure1, the dynamic equation of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is(2)my¨+chy˙1−Ll2+y2+khy1−Ll2+y2+kvy+cvy˙=kvq−mg,where cv is the vertical damping coefficient.To the passive QZS vibration isolation system, it is assumed that the excitation displacement is given by(3)q=Acosωt,where A is the excitation amplitude, ω is the excitation frequency, and t is the time.Letx=y/L, α=l/L, ω1=kv/m, ω2=kh/m, ξ1=cv/2kvm, ξ2=ch/2khm, μ=A/L, r=ω12/ω22, ρ=g/Lω12, λ=ω/ω1, and τ=ω1t; the dimensions of equation (2) can be derived as follows:(4)μsinτ−ρ=x¨+2ξ1x˙+2ξ2x˙1−1α2+x2+x+rx1−1α2+x2.The approximate analytical solution of equation (5) can be solved by the averaging method as follows:(5)x⌢=a⌢cosωτ+θx⌢′=−a⌢′ωsinωτ+θ,where a⌢ and θ are slowly varying functions of time τ.According to the averaging method, the amplitude and phase of the first-order approximate solution can be obtained as follows:(6)a⌢′=−1ωpa⌢,θsinωτ+θθ′=−1a⌢ωpa⌢,θcosωτ+θ,where(7)pa⌢,θ=a⌢ω2cosωτ+θ−2a⌢ωξ1+ξ2sinωτ+θ+2a⌢ωξ2sinωτ+θα2+a⌢2cos2ωτ+θ+a⌢1+rcosωτ+θ−a⌢rcosωτ+θα2+a⌢2cos2ωτ+θ−μω2cosωτ+θ.In one period of [0, 2π], the approximate values of amplitude and phase are obtained as follows:(8)a⌢′=−12πω∫02πpa⌢,θsinφdφθ′=−12πa⌢ω∫02πpa⌢,θcosφdφ.Leta⌢′=0andθ′=0; the analytical expression of steady-state amplitude frequency response of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is obtained as follows:(9)ω=−Ha⌢±Ha⌢2+4a⌢2ω2ξ1+ξ22+4a⌢2ξ22Ja⌢2/π2μ2−a⌢2θ=arctan2a⌢ωξ1+ξ2+2a⌢ωξ2Ja⌢/π−a⌢1+r+a⌢ω2+a⌢rIa⌢/π,where(10)Ia⌢=∫02πcos2φα2+a⌢2cos2φdφ,Ja⌢=∫02πsin2φα2+a⌢2cos2φdφ,Ha⌢=4a⌢2ω2ξ1+ξ22+4a⌢2ξ22Ja⌢2π2−2a⌢21+r+2a⌢2rIa⌢π⋅2μ2−a⌢2−1.When the passive QZS vibration isolation system is excited by a harmonic force, the steady-state amplitude frequency response is as follows:(11)z=a⌢cosωτ+θ+μcosωτ.Then,zmax=a⌢cosθ+μ2+a⌢sinθ2 can be obtained, and the displacement transmissibility of the passive QZS system is obtained as follows:(12)Tf=zmaxμ.


### 2.2. Characteristics of MR Damper and Semiactive Control Scheme

The damping force of MR damper is expressed by S-shape function as follows [34]:(13)Fc=2Ac1+exp−αy−Ac,where Ac is the limit saturation value of the damping force and α is the shape parameter; if the damper structure remains unchanged, αremains unchanged.According to the parameters of RD-1097-01 MR damper manufactured by Lord company, the resistance of the excitation coil is 20 Ω at 25°C, the maximum damping force is 135 N, the maximum continuous working current is 0.5 A, and the current tends to be saturated when it is greater than 1 A. Then, the damping force of the MR damper can be expressed as follows:(14)Fc=2Ac1+exp−0.0333y−AcAc=222.17Ir4−561.95Ir3+347.26Ir2+112.14Ir+10.12II¨r+139.4I˙r+10164Ir=10164Idy¨+424.4y˙+90123y=90123x˙−x˙c,where Fc is the output damping force, Ac is the limit saturation value of the damping force, Id is the given current, Iris the output current, and x˙ is the velocity excitation.The damping force curves under different currents in time domain are shown in Figure2, and the damping force curves varying with the relative velocity are shown in Figure 3. Figure 4shows the relationship between the excitation current and the damping force of the MR.Figure 2
Time domain response of damping force under different currents.Figure 3
Relationship curve between damping force and velocity under different currents.Figure 4
Fcand I curve of MR damper.Since it is difficult to make the output damping force accurately match the desired control force in experiments and engineering applications, the on-off control scheme is used here due to its good real-time performance.The control scheme is expressed as follows:(15)Fc=fd,y˙−q˙y˙≥0;I=Ion,fmin,y˙−q˙y˙<0;I=0,where y˙−q˙ is the relative velocity of the mass; y˙ is the velocity of the mass; fd is the semiactive control damping force, which is related to the input current, and fd ≤ 135 N; fmin is the minimum value of the output force of the MR damper when the current is the minimum; and fmin = 0 when the current is zero.By judging the direction of relative velocityy˙−q˙ and absolute velocity y˙ of the controlled mass and controlling the switching of the excitation voltage or current between finite discrete values, the damping force is adjusted. Therefore, when the relative motion of the mass is consistent with the direction of the damping force of the MR damper and the excitation current is on, the damper provides the maximum damping force to restrain the mass movement. On the contrary, the damper provides the minimum damping force to reduce the obstruction to the mass movement.


## 2.1. Modelling of Semiactive QZS Vibration Isolation System

The QZS vibration isolation system controlled by MR semiactive control is shown in Figure1, which is composed of a positive and negative stiffness spring parallel mechanism and MR damper. Here, m is the mass of the vibration isolated object, kv and kh are the vertical spring stiffness and horizontal spring stiffness, respectively, and L is the precompressed length of the horizontal spring. When the system reaches the static equilibrium position, the horizontal spring’s length is l. y is the vertical displacement of the mass object; Pis the excitation force of the system. The damping coefficient is set as ch, and Fc is the damping force provided by MR.Figure 1
QZS vibration isolation system with MR semiactive control.According to D’Alembert’s principle, the dynamic equation of the MR semiactive vibration isolation system is obtained.(1)my¨+chy˙1−Ll2+y2+khy1−Ll2+y2+kvy+Fc=kvq−mg.Compared with the semiactive control system shown in Figure1, the dynamic equation of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is(2)my¨+chy˙1−Ll2+y2+khy1−Ll2+y2+kvy+cvy˙=kvq−mg,where cv is the vertical damping coefficient.To the passive QZS vibration isolation system, it is assumed that the excitation displacement is given by(3)q=Acosωt,where A is the excitation amplitude, ω is the excitation frequency, and t is the time.Letx=y/L, α=l/L, ω1=kv/m, ω2=kh/m, ξ1=cv/2kvm, ξ2=ch/2khm, μ=A/L, r=ω12/ω22, ρ=g/Lω12, λ=ω/ω1, and τ=ω1t; the dimensions of equation (2) can be derived as follows:(4)μsinτ−ρ=x¨+2ξ1x˙+2ξ2x˙1−1α2+x2+x+rx1−1α2+x2.The approximate analytical solution of equation (5) can be solved by the averaging method as follows:(5)x⌢=a⌢cosωτ+θx⌢′=−a⌢′ωsinωτ+θ,where a⌢ and θ are slowly varying functions of time τ.According to the averaging method, the amplitude and phase of the first-order approximate solution can be obtained as follows:(6)a⌢′=−1ωpa⌢,θsinωτ+θθ′=−1a⌢ωpa⌢,θcosωτ+θ,where(7)pa⌢,θ=a⌢ω2cosωτ+θ−2a⌢ωξ1+ξ2sinωτ+θ+2a⌢ωξ2sinωτ+θα2+a⌢2cos2ωτ+θ+a⌢1+rcosωτ+θ−a⌢rcosωτ+θα2+a⌢2cos2ωτ+θ−μω2cosωτ+θ.In one period of [0, 2π], the approximate values of amplitude and phase are obtained as follows:(8)a⌢′=−12πω∫02πpa⌢,θsinφdφθ′=−12πa⌢ω∫02πpa⌢,θcosφdφ.Leta⌢′=0andθ′=0; the analytical expression of steady-state amplitude frequency response of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is obtained as follows:(9)ω=−Ha⌢±Ha⌢2+4a⌢2ω2ξ1+ξ22+4a⌢2ξ22Ja⌢2/π2μ2−a⌢2θ=arctan2a⌢ωξ1+ξ2+2a⌢ωξ2Ja⌢/π−a⌢1+r+a⌢ω2+a⌢rIa⌢/π,where(10)Ia⌢=∫02πcos2φα2+a⌢2cos2φdφ,Ja⌢=∫02πsin2φα2+a⌢2cos2φdφ,Ha⌢=4a⌢2ω2ξ1+ξ22+4a⌢2ξ22Ja⌢2π2−2a⌢21+r+2a⌢2rIa⌢π⋅2μ2−a⌢2−1.When the passive QZS vibration isolation system is excited by a harmonic force, the steady-state amplitude frequency response is as follows:(11)z=a⌢cosωτ+θ+μcosωτ.Then,zmax=a⌢cosθ+μ2+a⌢sinθ2 can be obtained, and the displacement transmissibility of the passive QZS system is obtained as follows:(12)Tf=zmaxμ.


## 2.2. Characteristics of MR Damper and Semiactive Control Scheme

The damping force of MR damper is expressed by S-shape function as follows [34]:(13)Fc=2Ac1+exp−αy−Ac,where Ac is the limit saturation value of the damping force and α is the shape parameter; if the damper structure remains unchanged, αremains unchanged.According to the parameters of RD-1097-01 MR damper manufactured by Lord company, the resistance of the excitation coil is 20 Ω at 25°C, the maximum damping force is 135 N, the maximum continuous working current is 0.5 A, and the current tends to be saturated when it is greater than 1 A. Then, the damping force of the MR damper can be expressed as follows:(14)Fc=2Ac1+exp−0.0333y−AcAc=222.17Ir4−561.95Ir3+347.26Ir2+112.14Ir+10.12II¨r+139.4I˙r+10164Ir=10164Idy¨+424.4y˙+90123y=90123x˙−x˙c,where Fc is the output damping force, Ac is the limit saturation value of the damping force, Id is the given current, Iris the output current, and x˙ is the velocity excitation.The damping force curves under different currents in time domain are shown in Figure2, and the damping force curves varying with the relative velocity are shown in Figure 3. Figure 4shows the relationship between the excitation current and the damping force of the MR.Figure 2
Time domain response of damping force under different currents.Figure 3
Relationship curve between damping force and velocity under different currents.Figure 4
Fcand I curve of MR damper.Since it is difficult to make the output damping force accurately match the desired control force in experiments and engineering applications, the on-off control scheme is used here due to its good real-time performance.The control scheme is expressed as follows:(15)Fc=fd,y˙−q˙y˙≥0;I=Ion,fmin,y˙−q˙y˙<0;I=0,where y˙−q˙ is the relative velocity of the mass; y˙ is the velocity of the mass; fd is the semiactive control damping force, which is related to the input current, and fd ≤ 135 N; fmin is the minimum value of the output force of the MR damper when the current is the minimum; and fmin = 0 when the current is zero.By judging the direction of relative velocityy˙−q˙ and absolute velocity y˙ of the controlled mass and controlling the switching of the excitation voltage or current between finite discrete values, the damping force is adjusted. Therefore, when the relative motion of the mass is consistent with the direction of the damping force of the MR damper and the excitation current is on, the damper provides the maximum damping force to restrain the mass movement. On the contrary, the damper provides the minimum damping force to reduce the obstruction to the mass movement.


## 3. Simulation Analysis of Vibration Isolation Effect under Different Excitations

Figure5 shows the cosimulation scheme of the semiactive MR vibration isolation system based on TruckSim and Matlab/Simulink. The vehicle model is an 8 × 8 vehicle established in TruckSim. The vertical displacement xc, vertical velocityvc, and vertical acceleration ac of the body centre are taken as the outputs, and xc is the input.Figure 5
TruckSim/Simulink on-off control cosimulation model.The parameters of the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system are shown in Table1.Table 1
Parameters of the vibration isolation system.
ParametersValuesM9.2 kgkv1 017 N/mkh1 010 N/mch100 N·s/mL0.121 mL0.081 mH0.090 m


### 3.1. Harmonic Road Excitation

A harmonic road excitation with an amplitude of 5 mm and length of 500 m is used, and the vehicle speed is 30 km/h, 40 km/h, and 50 km/h, respectively. The vibration isolation characteristics of the passive QZS and semiactive QZS isolators are obtained, as shown in Figures6 and 7. The root mean square and relative differences of the vertical displacement and acceleration of the body centre and the two isolation systems are shown in Table 2 and Figure 8.Figure 6
Time domain response of displacement under harmonic excitation: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 7
Time domain response of acceleration under harmonic excitation: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 2
RMS and relative differences of displacement and acceleration under harmonic excitation.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s−2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)301.16 × 10−30.3222.25 × 10−4−80.600.066−79.507.68 × 10−5−93.380.017−94.72401.64 × 10−30.3743.42 × 10−4−79.150.083−77.818.93 × 10−5−94.550.022−94.12502.17 × 10−30.3964.48 × 10−4−79.350.093−76.529.79 × 10−5−95.490.027−93.18Figure 8
Relative difference between the vibration isolation system and vehicle body under harmonic excitation: (a) displacement; (b) acceleration.
(a)(b)It can be seen from Figures6–8 and Table 2 that(a)
From the vertical displacement response, RMS of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is reduced by 80.6% and the maximum RMS of the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system is reduced by 95.49%, compared with that of the body centre. The maximum vertical displacement reduction of semiactive QZS isolator is 78.1% better than that of the passive QZS isolator.(b)
Compared with the passive vibration isolation system, the maximum vertical acceleration reduction of the semiactive QZS isolator is 74.2%.(c)
Under 5 mm harmonic excitation, the two vibration isolation systems show good vibration isolation performance at different vehicle speeds, but the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system has better vibration isolation performance.(d)
The change trend of body response of the passive and semiactive QZS is the same, but the maximum amplitude and RMS of the semiactive QZS are obviously decreased.


### 3.2. Stochastic Road Excitation

In practical engineering, the external excitation of a vehicle is mostly random or has strong randomness. The road is built adopting the three-dimensional stochastic road based on fractal theory [35], and the irregularity of the stochastic road surface is given by(16)q˙t=−2πf0vqt+2πn0G0vωt,where q is the stochastic road, vis the speed, G0 is the road irregularity coefficient, ωt is the Gaussian white noise, f0 is the cut-off space frequency, generally taken as 0.011 m−1, and n0 is the reference space frequency, taken as 0.1 m−1.The three-dimensional road spectrum can better reflect the three-dimensional texture characteristics, which not only reflect the longitudinal irregularity excitation of the road but also meet the requirements of the simulation test for the transverse elevation change, as shown in Figure9.Figure 9
C-level stochastic road excitation: (a) cross section elevation setting; (b) road model.
(a)(b)Figures10 and 11 show the vertical time domain response curves of the body centre and two kinds of vibration isolation systems under the condition of C-level stochastic road at different vehicle speeds. See Table 3 and Figure 12 for RMS and relative difference of the two vibration isolation systems and body centre response.Figure 10
Time domain response of displacement under stochastic road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 11
Time domain response of acceleration under stochastic road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 3
RMS and relative differences of displacement and acceleration response under stochastic road.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s−2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)300.0110.7422.37 × 10−3−78.450.242−67.391.67 × 10−3−84.820.074−90.03400.0131.1633.54 × 10−3−72.770.441−62.082.04 × 10−3−84.310.126−89.17500.0211.6545.89 × 10−3−71.950.647−60.883.35 × 10−3−84.050.187−88.69Figure 12
Relative difference of RMS of (a) displacement and (b) acceleration under C-level random pavement
(a)(b)It can be seen from Figures10–12 and Table 3 that for the road condition of C-level stochastic road excitation, the RMS of vertical displacement and acceleration of the passive and the semiactive isolators are significantly reduced, with the maximum reduction over 60%. The semiactive vibration isolator shows much better isolation performance than the passive one. At the same time, the passive QZS vibrator is greatly affected by the vehicle speed, the stability is poor, and the vibration isolation efficiency is reduced while the semiactive QZS vibration isolator is less affected by the excitation and vehicle speed, and the vibration isolation efficiency is over 88%.


### 3.3. Semisinusoidal Shock Road

To verify the shock performance of the isolators, a semisinusoidal shock road with an amplitude of 0.1 m and frequency of 1.4 Hz is established in TruckSim, as shown in Figure13.Figure 13
Semisinusoidal shock road: (a) cross section elevation setting; (b) road model.
(a)(b)The vertical displacement and acceleration response curves of the body centre and the two vibration isolators are shown in Figures14 and 15. The RMS and relative differences of the vertical displacement and acceleration response are shown in Table 4 and Figure 16.Figure 14
Time domain response curve of displacement under semisinusoidal shock road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 15
Time domain response curve of acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 4
RMS and relative differences of vertical displacement and acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s-2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)300.0324.2780.012−62.501.267−70.382.59 × 10−3−91.910.38−91.12400.0576.0960.023−59.652.118−65.265.65 × 10−3−90.090.579−90.50500.0647.2570.029−54.692.626−63.819.37 × 10−3−85.360.735−89.87Figure 16
Relative difference of RMS of (a) vertical displacement and (b) acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road.
(a)(b)As can be seen from Figures14–16 and Table 4,(a)
The isolation effect of the semiactive QZS isolator is clearly better than that of the passive one under semisinusoidal shock road excitation.(b)
With the increase in vehicle speed, the isolation efficiency of the passive QZS decreases, the response peak value increases, and the stability is poor. While the vibration isolation efficiency of the semiactive control system is about 90%, its stability is better than that of the passive QZS system.To evaluate the shock resistance performance, the ratio of the peak acceleration response of the isolated object to that of the vehicle body centre is defined as the maximum acceleration ratio, as shown in Table5.Table 5
Maximum acceleration ratio at different vehicle speeds under semisinusoidal impact pavement.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemPeak acceleration (m·s−2)Peak acceleration (m·s−2)RatioPeak acceleration (m·s−2)Ratio309.7623.3560.340.8340.0864017.1876.1950.361.7870.1035021.1588.7910.422.4890.118It can be seen from Table5 that the maximum acceleration ratio of the two isolators at different vehicle speeds increases with the increase in vehicle speed. The maximum acceleration ratio of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is larger than that of the semiactive one, which indicates that the semiactive QZS vibration isolator has better shock resistance performance.


## 3.1. Harmonic Road Excitation

A harmonic road excitation with an amplitude of 5 mm and length of 500 m is used, and the vehicle speed is 30 km/h, 40 km/h, and 50 km/h, respectively. The vibration isolation characteristics of the passive QZS and semiactive QZS isolators are obtained, as shown in Figures6 and 7. The root mean square and relative differences of the vertical displacement and acceleration of the body centre and the two isolation systems are shown in Table 2 and Figure 8.Figure 6
Time domain response of displacement under harmonic excitation: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 7
Time domain response of acceleration under harmonic excitation: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 2
RMS and relative differences of displacement and acceleration under harmonic excitation.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s−2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)301.16 × 10−30.3222.25 × 10−4−80.600.066−79.507.68 × 10−5−93.380.017−94.72401.64 × 10−30.3743.42 × 10−4−79.150.083−77.818.93 × 10−5−94.550.022−94.12502.17 × 10−30.3964.48 × 10−4−79.350.093−76.529.79 × 10−5−95.490.027−93.18Figure 8
Relative difference between the vibration isolation system and vehicle body under harmonic excitation: (a) displacement; (b) acceleration.
(a)(b)It can be seen from Figures6–8 and Table 2 that(a)
From the vertical displacement response, RMS of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is reduced by 80.6% and the maximum RMS of the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system is reduced by 95.49%, compared with that of the body centre. The maximum vertical displacement reduction of semiactive QZS isolator is 78.1% better than that of the passive QZS isolator.(b)
Compared with the passive vibration isolation system, the maximum vertical acceleration reduction of the semiactive QZS isolator is 74.2%.(c)
Under 5 mm harmonic excitation, the two vibration isolation systems show good vibration isolation performance at different vehicle speeds, but the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system has better vibration isolation performance.(d)
The change trend of body response of the passive and semiactive QZS is the same, but the maximum amplitude and RMS of the semiactive QZS are obviously decreased.


## 3.2. Stochastic Road Excitation

In practical engineering, the external excitation of a vehicle is mostly random or has strong randomness. The road is built adopting the three-dimensional stochastic road based on fractal theory [35], and the irregularity of the stochastic road surface is given by(16)q˙t=−2πf0vqt+2πn0G0vωt,where q is the stochastic road, vis the speed, G0 is the road irregularity coefficient, ωt is the Gaussian white noise, f0 is the cut-off space frequency, generally taken as 0.011 m−1, and n0 is the reference space frequency, taken as 0.1 m−1.The three-dimensional road spectrum can better reflect the three-dimensional texture characteristics, which not only reflect the longitudinal irregularity excitation of the road but also meet the requirements of the simulation test for the transverse elevation change, as shown in Figure9.Figure 9
C-level stochastic road excitation: (a) cross section elevation setting; (b) road model.
(a)(b)Figures10 and 11 show the vertical time domain response curves of the body centre and two kinds of vibration isolation systems under the condition of C-level stochastic road at different vehicle speeds. See Table 3 and Figure 12 for RMS and relative difference of the two vibration isolation systems and body centre response.Figure 10
Time domain response of displacement under stochastic road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 11
Time domain response of acceleration under stochastic road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 3
RMS and relative differences of displacement and acceleration response under stochastic road.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s−2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)300.0110.7422.37 × 10−3−78.450.242−67.391.67 × 10−3−84.820.074−90.03400.0131.1633.54 × 10−3−72.770.441−62.082.04 × 10−3−84.310.126−89.17500.0211.6545.89 × 10−3−71.950.647−60.883.35 × 10−3−84.050.187−88.69Figure 12
Relative difference of RMS of (a) displacement and (b) acceleration under C-level random pavement
(a)(b)It can be seen from Figures10–12 and Table 3 that for the road condition of C-level stochastic road excitation, the RMS of vertical displacement and acceleration of the passive and the semiactive isolators are significantly reduced, with the maximum reduction over 60%. The semiactive vibration isolator shows much better isolation performance than the passive one. At the same time, the passive QZS vibrator is greatly affected by the vehicle speed, the stability is poor, and the vibration isolation efficiency is reduced while the semiactive QZS vibration isolator is less affected by the excitation and vehicle speed, and the vibration isolation efficiency is over 88%.


## 3.3. Semisinusoidal Shock Road

To verify the shock performance of the isolators, a semisinusoidal shock road with an amplitude of 0.1 m and frequency of 1.4 Hz is established in TruckSim, as shown in Figure13.Figure 13
Semisinusoidal shock road: (a) cross section elevation setting; (b) road model.
(a)(b)The vertical displacement and acceleration response curves of the body centre and the two vibration isolators are shown in Figures14 and 15. The RMS and relative differences of the vertical displacement and acceleration response are shown in Table 4 and Figure 16.Figure 14
Time domain response curve of displacement under semisinusoidal shock road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 15
Time domain response curve of acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road: (a) 30 km/h; (b) 40 km/h; (c) 50 km/h.
(a)(b)(c)Table 4
RMS and relative differences of vertical displacement and acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemDisplacement (m)Acceleration (m·s-2)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)Displacement (m)Displacement difference (%)Acceleration (m·s−2)Acceleration difference (%)300.0324.2780.012−62.501.267−70.382.59 × 10−3−91.910.38−91.12400.0576.0960.023−59.652.118−65.265.65 × 10−3−90.090.579−90.50500.0647.2570.029−54.692.626−63.819.37 × 10−3−85.360.735−89.87Figure 16
Relative difference of RMS of (a) vertical displacement and (b) acceleration under semisinusoidal shock road.
(a)(b)As can be seen from Figures14–16 and Table 4,(a)
The isolation effect of the semiactive QZS isolator is clearly better than that of the passive one under semisinusoidal shock road excitation.(b)
With the increase in vehicle speed, the isolation efficiency of the passive QZS decreases, the response peak value increases, and the stability is poor. While the vibration isolation efficiency of the semiactive control system is about 90%, its stability is better than that of the passive QZS system.To evaluate the shock resistance performance, the ratio of the peak acceleration response of the isolated object to that of the vehicle body centre is defined as the maximum acceleration ratio, as shown in Table5.Table 5
Maximum acceleration ratio at different vehicle speeds under semisinusoidal impact pavement.
Vehicle speed (km·h−1)Body centrePassive QZS systemSemiactive QZS systemPeak acceleration (m·s−2)Peak acceleration (m·s−2)RatioPeak acceleration (m·s−2)Ratio309.7623.3560.340.8340.0864017.1876.1950.361.7870.1035021.1588.7910.422.4890.118It can be seen from Table5 that the maximum acceleration ratio of the two isolators at different vehicle speeds increases with the increase in vehicle speed. The maximum acceleration ratio of the passive QZS vibration isolation system is larger than that of the semiactive one, which indicates that the semiactive QZS vibration isolator has better shock resistance performance.


## 4. Experimental Study on Vibration Isolation System

### 4.1. Experiment Scheme Design

The semiactive QZS vibration isolation system is composed of a mechanical structure and MR semiactive control system. The mechanical structure is shown in Figure17. Here, the negative stiffness mechanism mainly includes a spring, an inner and outer sleeve, a screw, and an adjusting nut. The screw is connected to the inner sleeve in a spiral manner. The precompression of the spring is adjusted by the adjusting nut to realize the negative stiffness of the horizontal spring.Figure 17
Mechanical structure of the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system: ① device base; ② MR damper; ③ limit adjusting structure; ④ negative stiffness mechanism; ⑤ vibration isolated mass.The MR semiactive control system is mainly composed of a motion state sensor, controllable constant current power supply, signal conditioning converter, control arithmetic unit, input/output board, and shielded junction box, as shown in Figure18.Figure 18
MR semiactive control system block diagram.Using LabVIEW RT as the real-time control module can improve the reliability and time certainty of program operation. The program is written and debugged in the upper computer, and the running state of the system is monitored. The lower computer is connected to the upper computer through the network cable to ensure the real-time performance of the system and realizes the functions of data transmission and human-computer interaction.The hardware of the semiactive control system is listed in Table6, and the experiment site is shown in Figure 19.Table 6
Hardware of the semiactive control system.
TypeModelNumberReal-time controllerNI PXIe-81081Data acquisition cabinetNI PXIe-10821Analog output moduleNI 63631Analog input moduleNI 44961Power amplifierTPA10168-pin shielded junction boxNI SCB-68A1Acceleration sensorBK 4528-B2Laser displacement meterLK-G5001Data acquisition instrumentINV306U1Figure 19
Experiment site: ① control computer; ② control program interface; ③ PXI embedded system; ④ data acquisition computer; ⑤ acquisition instrument; ⑥ regulated power supply; ⑦ MR damper; ⑧ QZS vibration isolator; ⑨ laser displacement meter.The excitation system is a six-degree-of-freedom vibration test bench jointly developed by the University of Wollongong and Hefei University of Technology, which is mainly composed of NI control system, PC computer controller, DMKE electric cylinder, and so on. The data acquisition system includes keyence LK-G500 laser displacement sensors and data collectors (model: INV306U), and the real-time waveforms are captured through DASP software on PC computed.


### 4.2. Analysis of Test Results

The design parameter of the spring is shown in Table7.Table 7
The parameter of the spring.
Medium diameter (mm)Material diameter (mm)Effective lapsMeasured stiffness (N/m)Vertical spring65481017Oblique spring422.87.51085When the QZS system is in a static balance, the following relationship should be satisfied:(17)L2=l2+h2,where L is the precompressed length of the horizontal spring, which can be adjust by the adjusting nut. When the system reaches the static equilibrium position, the horizontal spring’s length is l. h is the compression deformation of the vertical spring under static load, which can be obtained by the relationship kvh=mg. The meaning and value of L, l, and h are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1.The test conditions include harmonic excitation with different amplitudes and frequencies:(a)
Test Condition 1. Harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: The initial vibration isolation frequency of the QZS vibration isolation system is about 1.4 Hz, so the resonance region frequency (1.2 Hz) and the vibration isolation region frequency (1.4 times of the resonance frequency, 2.5 Hz) are selected as the excitation frequency. The vertical amplitudes are chosen as 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm, respectively.(b)
Test Condition 2. Harmonic excitation test with different frequencies. The amplitude is 5 mm, and the excitation frequencies are 1.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 1.6 Hz, and 1.8 Hz, respectively.


#### 4.2.1. Time Domain Response Analysis

When the excitation frequency is 1.2 Hz and 2.5 Hz, the test and simulation results of the displacement response of the isolated object are shown in Figures20 and 21. The differences between the test and the theoretical results are shown in Table 8.Figure 20
Time domain response of displacement under 1.2 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 21
Time domain response of displacement under 2.5 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Table 8
Relative differences of displacement peak between experiment results and simulation results.
Excitation amplitude (mm)Excitation frequency 1.2 HzExcitation frequency 2.5 HzSimulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)33.323.4515.120.961.0479.0356.056.4566.711.051.26110.5479.179.7185.971.471.6139.76From Figures20 and 21 and Table 8, it can be seen that the test results are in good agreement with the theoretical results. The peak value of the test is slightly larger than the simulation results, and the difference increases with the excitation amplitude. The slight difference is inevitable due to the installation error and the friction between the parts. So, the test results verify the correctness of the established model and simulation results.The vibration experiment of the semiactive QZS system with different harmonic excitation frequencies is carried out. The amplitude is 5 mm, and the frequencies are 1.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 1.6 Hz, and 1.8 Hz, respectively. The tested and simulated displacement responses of the mass block under different excitation frequencies are shown in Figure22. The relative differences of the peak values are listed in Table 9.Figure 22
Time domain response of displacement under different excitation frequencies: (a) 1 Hz, (b) 1.2 Hz. (c) 1.4 Hz, (d) 1.6 Hz, and (e) 1.8 Hz.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)Table 9
Displacement peaks from experiment results and simulation results under different excitation frequencies.
Excitation frequency (Hz)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)1.06.016.3775.931.26.056.4566.711.44.044.3698.141.62.763.07111.271.82.022.23410.56From Figure22 and Table 9, it can be seen that the change trend of the experiment and the simulation results are the same. With the increase in the excitation frequency, the relative difference between the experiment and the theoretical results increases, and the maximum difference is 11.27%, which further verifies the correctness of the theoretical model and the feasibility of the control scheme.


#### 4.2.2. Analysis of Vibration Isolation Effect

Letamax and amin be the peaks and troughs of the time domain response waveforms, respectively, and b be the excitation amplitude; the displacement transmissibility of the vibration isolation system is(18)T=amax−amin2b.The tested and simulated displacement transmissibility of the passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is shown in Figure23.Figure 23
Displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitation: (a) amplitude is 3 mm; (b) amplitude is 5 mm; (c) amplitude is 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)As can be seen from Figure23,(a)
The resonance peak of the system increases with the rise of the excitation amplitude. The initial vibration isolation frequencies of the two kinds of isolators are the same and lower than those of the corresponding linear system, which indicates that the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system also has the characteristics of low-frequency vibration isolation.(b)
The semiactive QZS vibration isolator can suppress the resonance much better than the passive one. After reaching the initial isolation frequency, the vibration isolation performance of the semiactive QZS isolator is also superior to the passive QZS.The RMS of the displacement transmissibility of passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is also computed, as shown in Table10.Table 10
RMS and differences of displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitations.
Excitation amplitudes (mm)RMS of passive QZS (mm)RMS of semiactive QZS (mm)Differences (%)30.9070.672−25.951.1660.684−41.371.4740.698−52.6It can be seen that the RMS of displacement transmissibility of semiactive QZS isolator is smaller significantly than that of the passive one, and the larger the excitation amplitude is, the more obvious the difference is.


## 4.1. Experiment Scheme Design

The semiactive QZS vibration isolation system is composed of a mechanical structure and MR semiactive control system. The mechanical structure is shown in Figure17. Here, the negative stiffness mechanism mainly includes a spring, an inner and outer sleeve, a screw, and an adjusting nut. The screw is connected to the inner sleeve in a spiral manner. The precompression of the spring is adjusted by the adjusting nut to realize the negative stiffness of the horizontal spring.Figure 17
Mechanical structure of the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system: ① device base; ② MR damper; ③ limit adjusting structure; ④ negative stiffness mechanism; ⑤ vibration isolated mass.The MR semiactive control system is mainly composed of a motion state sensor, controllable constant current power supply, signal conditioning converter, control arithmetic unit, input/output board, and shielded junction box, as shown in Figure18.Figure 18
MR semiactive control system block diagram.Using LabVIEW RT as the real-time control module can improve the reliability and time certainty of program operation. The program is written and debugged in the upper computer, and the running state of the system is monitored. The lower computer is connected to the upper computer through the network cable to ensure the real-time performance of the system and realizes the functions of data transmission and human-computer interaction.The hardware of the semiactive control system is listed in Table6, and the experiment site is shown in Figure 19.Table 6
Hardware of the semiactive control system.
TypeModelNumberReal-time controllerNI PXIe-81081Data acquisition cabinetNI PXIe-10821Analog output moduleNI 63631Analog input moduleNI 44961Power amplifierTPA10168-pin shielded junction boxNI SCB-68A1Acceleration sensorBK 4528-B2Laser displacement meterLK-G5001Data acquisition instrumentINV306U1Figure 19
Experiment site: ① control computer; ② control program interface; ③ PXI embedded system; ④ data acquisition computer; ⑤ acquisition instrument; ⑥ regulated power supply; ⑦ MR damper; ⑧ QZS vibration isolator; ⑨ laser displacement meter.The excitation system is a six-degree-of-freedom vibration test bench jointly developed by the University of Wollongong and Hefei University of Technology, which is mainly composed of NI control system, PC computer controller, DMKE electric cylinder, and so on. The data acquisition system includes keyence LK-G500 laser displacement sensors and data collectors (model: INV306U), and the real-time waveforms are captured through DASP software on PC computed.


## 4.2. Analysis of Test Results

The design parameter of the spring is shown in Table7.Table 7
The parameter of the spring.
Medium diameter (mm)Material diameter (mm)Effective lapsMeasured stiffness (N/m)Vertical spring65481017Oblique spring422.87.51085When the QZS system is in a static balance, the following relationship should be satisfied:(17)L2=l2+h2,where L is the precompressed length of the horizontal spring, which can be adjust by the adjusting nut. When the system reaches the static equilibrium position, the horizontal spring’s length is l. h is the compression deformation of the vertical spring under static load, which can be obtained by the relationship kvh=mg. The meaning and value of L, l, and h are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1.The test conditions include harmonic excitation with different amplitudes and frequencies:(a)
Test Condition 1. Harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: The initial vibration isolation frequency of the QZS vibration isolation system is about 1.4 Hz, so the resonance region frequency (1.2 Hz) and the vibration isolation region frequency (1.4 times of the resonance frequency, 2.5 Hz) are selected as the excitation frequency. The vertical amplitudes are chosen as 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm, respectively.(b)
Test Condition 2. Harmonic excitation test with different frequencies. The amplitude is 5 mm, and the excitation frequencies are 1.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 1.6 Hz, and 1.8 Hz, respectively.


### 4.2.1. Time Domain Response Analysis

When the excitation frequency is 1.2 Hz and 2.5 Hz, the test and simulation results of the displacement response of the isolated object are shown in Figures20 and 21. The differences between the test and the theoretical results are shown in Table 8.Figure 20
Time domain response of displacement under 1.2 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 21
Time domain response of displacement under 2.5 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Table 8
Relative differences of displacement peak between experiment results and simulation results.
Excitation amplitude (mm)Excitation frequency 1.2 HzExcitation frequency 2.5 HzSimulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)33.323.4515.120.961.0479.0356.056.4566.711.051.26110.5479.179.7185.971.471.6139.76From Figures20 and 21 and Table 8, it can be seen that the test results are in good agreement with the theoretical results. The peak value of the test is slightly larger than the simulation results, and the difference increases with the excitation amplitude. The slight difference is inevitable due to the installation error and the friction between the parts. So, the test results verify the correctness of the established model and simulation results.The vibration experiment of the semiactive QZS system with different harmonic excitation frequencies is carried out. The amplitude is 5 mm, and the frequencies are 1.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 1.6 Hz, and 1.8 Hz, respectively. The tested and simulated displacement responses of the mass block under different excitation frequencies are shown in Figure22. The relative differences of the peak values are listed in Table 9.Figure 22
Time domain response of displacement under different excitation frequencies: (a) 1 Hz, (b) 1.2 Hz. (c) 1.4 Hz, (d) 1.6 Hz, and (e) 1.8 Hz.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)Table 9
Displacement peaks from experiment results and simulation results under different excitation frequencies.
Excitation frequency (Hz)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)1.06.016.3775.931.26.056.4566.711.44.044.3698.141.62.763.07111.271.82.022.23410.56From Figure22 and Table 9, it can be seen that the change trend of the experiment and the simulation results are the same. With the increase in the excitation frequency, the relative difference between the experiment and the theoretical results increases, and the maximum difference is 11.27%, which further verifies the correctness of the theoretical model and the feasibility of the control scheme.


### 4.2.2. Analysis of Vibration Isolation Effect

Letamax and amin be the peaks and troughs of the time domain response waveforms, respectively, and b be the excitation amplitude; the displacement transmissibility of the vibration isolation system is(18)T=amax−amin2b.The tested and simulated displacement transmissibility of the passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is shown in Figure23.Figure 23
Displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitation: (a) amplitude is 3 mm; (b) amplitude is 5 mm; (c) amplitude is 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)As can be seen from Figure23,(a)
The resonance peak of the system increases with the rise of the excitation amplitude. The initial vibration isolation frequencies of the two kinds of isolators are the same and lower than those of the corresponding linear system, which indicates that the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system also has the characteristics of low-frequency vibration isolation.(b)
The semiactive QZS vibration isolator can suppress the resonance much better than the passive one. After reaching the initial isolation frequency, the vibration isolation performance of the semiactive QZS isolator is also superior to the passive QZS.The RMS of the displacement transmissibility of passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is also computed, as shown in Table10.Table 10
RMS and differences of displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitations.
Excitation amplitudes (mm)RMS of passive QZS (mm)RMS of semiactive QZS (mm)Differences (%)30.9070.672−25.951.1660.684−41.371.4740.698−52.6It can be seen that the RMS of displacement transmissibility of semiactive QZS isolator is smaller significantly than that of the passive one, and the larger the excitation amplitude is, the more obvious the difference is.


## 4.2.1. Time Domain Response Analysis

When the excitation frequency is 1.2 Hz and 2.5 Hz, the test and simulation results of the displacement response of the isolated object are shown in Figures20 and 21. The differences between the test and the theoretical results are shown in Table 8.Figure 20
Time domain response of displacement under 1.2 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Figure 21
Time domain response of displacement under 2.5 Hz harmonic excitation with different amplitudes: (a) 3 mm; (b) 5 mm; (c) 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)Table 8
Relative differences of displacement peak between experiment results and simulation results.
Excitation amplitude (mm)Excitation frequency 1.2 HzExcitation frequency 2.5 HzSimulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)33.323.4515.120.961.0479.0356.056.4566.711.051.26110.5479.179.7185.971.471.6139.76From Figures20 and 21 and Table 8, it can be seen that the test results are in good agreement with the theoretical results. The peak value of the test is slightly larger than the simulation results, and the difference increases with the excitation amplitude. The slight difference is inevitable due to the installation error and the friction between the parts. So, the test results verify the correctness of the established model and simulation results.The vibration experiment of the semiactive QZS system with different harmonic excitation frequencies is carried out. The amplitude is 5 mm, and the frequencies are 1.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 1.4 Hz, 1.6 Hz, and 1.8 Hz, respectively. The tested and simulated displacement responses of the mass block under different excitation frequencies are shown in Figure22. The relative differences of the peak values are listed in Table 9.Figure 22
Time domain response of displacement under different excitation frequencies: (a) 1 Hz, (b) 1.2 Hz. (c) 1.4 Hz, (d) 1.6 Hz, and (e) 1.8 Hz.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)Table 9
Displacement peaks from experiment results and simulation results under different excitation frequencies.
Excitation frequency (Hz)Simulation (mm)Experiment (mm)Difference (%)1.06.016.3775.931.26.056.4566.711.44.044.3698.141.62.763.07111.271.82.022.23410.56From Figure22 and Table 9, it can be seen that the change trend of the experiment and the simulation results are the same. With the increase in the excitation frequency, the relative difference between the experiment and the theoretical results increases, and the maximum difference is 11.27%, which further verifies the correctness of the theoretical model and the feasibility of the control scheme.


## 4.2.2. Analysis of Vibration Isolation Effect

Letamax and amin be the peaks and troughs of the time domain response waveforms, respectively, and b be the excitation amplitude; the displacement transmissibility of the vibration isolation system is(18)T=amax−amin2b.The tested and simulated displacement transmissibility of the passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is shown in Figure23.Figure 23
Displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitation: (a) amplitude is 3 mm; (b) amplitude is 5 mm; (c) amplitude is 7 mm.
(a)(b)(c)As can be seen from Figure23,(a)
The resonance peak of the system increases with the rise of the excitation amplitude. The initial vibration isolation frequencies of the two kinds of isolators are the same and lower than those of the corresponding linear system, which indicates that the semiactive QZS vibration isolation system also has the characteristics of low-frequency vibration isolation.(b)
The semiactive QZS vibration isolator can suppress the resonance much better than the passive one. After reaching the initial isolation frequency, the vibration isolation performance of the semiactive QZS isolator is also superior to the passive QZS.The RMS of the displacement transmissibility of passive and semiactive QZS isolators under different excitation amplitudes is also computed, as shown in Table10.Table 10
RMS and differences of displacement transmissibility under different harmonic excitations.
Excitation amplitudes (mm)RMS of passive QZS (mm)RMS of semiactive QZS (mm)Differences (%)30.9070.672−25.951.1660.684−41.371.4740.698−52.6It can be seen that the RMS of displacement transmissibility of semiactive QZS isolator is smaller significantly than that of the passive one, and the larger the excitation amplitude is, the more obvious the difference is.


## 5. Conclusions

A semiactive QZS vibration isolator is proposed and designed based on MR damper. The simulation analysis is carried out under different road conditions and different vehicle speeds. The test device and semiactive on-off control system are developed and manufactured, and the correctness of the theoretical derivation and simulation method is verified by experimental results. It can be concluded that(a)
For the condition of harmonic, stochastic, and shock road excitations, the semiactive QZS isolator is always superior to the passive QZS in different working conditions, with more obvious control effects(b)
The proposed semiactive QZS isolator shows better universality at different frequencies and amplitudes of excitations in the test, and the control algorithms are feasible for the mechanical devices of the isolator and the hardware system



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