Collaborative Optimization of Nonlinear Hydropneumatic Suspension Dynamic Characteristics

Vehicle handling stability and ride comfort play important roles in a vehicle's performance. This article proposes a new concept for vehicle handling and ride optimization. The proposed method combines the handling optimization object and design variables with the ride optimization object and design variables. This optimization is based on a rigid-flexible model of a dump truck used for mining and equipped with nonlinear hydropneumatic suspension. The truck model is a composite of a flexible main-chassis and other rigid parts. Optimization is realized using the response surface model because it is based on the design of experiment (DOE) method, and then the DOE results are calculated in the rigid-flexible model. The proximate model is then optimized using Isight software. The optimized results are compared with the numerical results that are calculated in the dynamic model in the ADAMS software, the results of which indicate that the optimized dynamic performance is enhanced, including the handling and ride characteristics. The proposed method can provide a balance for vehicle performance optimization.