NVH and ride and handling improvements for electric vehicles using passive and semi-active interlinked suspension setups
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
This research proposes to model and develop passive and semi-active interlinked suspension setups for use in vehicles. They are to be developed such that the setup provides a satisfactory balance between vehicle ride and vehicle handling and an improvement over the traditional passive setup. This is intended to be completed by first performing network synthesis to develop numerical models of both the passive interlinked, and the semi-active interlinked setups. After this, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic realisation of these models is to be undertaken, and then both numerical and physical models will be tested and compared. It is expected for difficulties to arise in the numerical modelling of the semi-active setup. Then when combined with the interlinking, it is possible for non-linearities to arise. This research proposal also plans to provide a link between a major suspension manufacturer, Tenneco, and the research team led by Dr Jiang. It will also be closely linked to the deliverables of the EPSRC 'Digitwin' project.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jason Jiang (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Nicholas Wills (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/T517872/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2025 | |||
| 2445619 | Studentship | EP/T517872/1 | 01/10/2020 | 31/03/2024 | Nicholas Wills |
| Description | I have discovered that including inerters in an in-wheel motor system can reduce the deformation between rotor and stator of the motor by over 90% for a given test case. I have discovered that by optimising the (linearised) pipe network of a passive car air suspension system with auxiliary reservoir, the vehicle ride comfortcan be improved over a default coil spring by around 30%. This research into this second point is still ongoing. |
| Exploitation Route | I believe that these findings will be useful for the automotive/transport industries. By using the in-wheel motor improvements I have found, the in-wheel motor becomes a more viable proposition for vehicle propulsion. In addition, by using the passive improvements I have found (and intend to improve on, and develop further) for the air suspension, it should provide better vehicle ride comfort whilst requiring less energy to operate than a tradition air suspension system - thereby saving fuel/electricity depending on the type of car it is used in |
| Sectors | Transport |
| URL | http://eacs2022.ippt.pan.pl/EACS%202022%20-%20Book.pdf |
| Description | Tenneco-UoB In-wheel motor and air suspension collaboration |
| Organisation | Tenneco |
| Department | Tenneco (Belgium) |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | I bring my academic knowledge and problem solving abilities to solve the tasks they set me. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The in-wheel motor and air suspension studies spoken about previously were initially suggested by Tenneco for me to investigate. They provided their industry-specific knowledge to improve the impact of my findings, as well as to make them industrially relevant. Any physical testing (as of yet none has been undertaken) will take place in their workshops/test-beds |
| Impact | The outcomes have been about investigating the in-wheel motor system and seeing what improvements can be made, as well as the improvements in the air suspension system so far. These are detailed in another section of this submission. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Title | Inertance-integrated damping system for wheel assembly bushes |
| Description | The usage of optimal inerter based fluid bushes for reduction of magnetic gap deformation in vehicle in-wheel motor systems |
| IP Reference | 1316N-001858-US |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | None as of yet (still under review) |