5 CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be made from the results and discussion presented in the preceding sections.
1. The damper-controlled variable-spring-stiffness suspension can be used as an isolator to reduce the motion transferred from the wheel to the vehicle body. A linearized version of variable stiffness suspension can improve the vibration isolation of a vehicle.
2. A lower damping ratio and a unit relative damping ratio of unity gives the lowest value of peak trans-missibility. A higher value of relative damping ratio increases the transmissibility. Increasing the mass ratio reduces the transmissibility.
3. The peak transmissibilities in a quarter-car model are higher than those of a half-car model which, in turn, has higher transmissibilities than those in a full-car model. A quarter-car model may be used for bounce response only, but for better results a full-car model should be employed.
4. The power required to control the damper can be minimized using force generators. Improved sprung mass isolation can be achieved without the wheel velocity feedback method.
5. To improve the ride quality, the use of actuators is suggested, and these are designed using full-state feedback and LQR control theory. These actuators generate the control forces to optimize the vibrations. This theory is quite suitable for higher mass ratios.