Background Information
Last updated on March 11th, 2014 by Dan Altman
Active suspension systems control the vertical movement of a
vehicle using software and
hardware with the aim of reducing or eliminating
disturbances. The controller design for a
linearly actuated active suspension system project
approaches the problem of limiting vertical
movement of a vehicle using a linear actuator and
hardware/software from National
Instruments. A disturbance is introduced to the system via
an elliptical cam shaft attached to
an AC motor. The frequency of the disturbance is determined
by a frequency drive controlling
the AC motor. As the controller software processes the
vertical displacement of the vehicle by
way of a potentiometer, software outputs a signal(s) to
circuitry driving
the linear actuator, lowering or raising the vehicle in
response to the disturbance.