Performance Improvement of Active Suspension System Collaborating with an Active Airfoil Based on a Quarter-Car Model

Abstract

This study presents an effective control strategy for improving the dynamic performance index of a two degrees-of-freedom (DOF) quarter-car model equipped with an active suspension system that collaborates with an active aerodynamic surface, using optimal control theory. The model takes several road excitations as input and applies an optimal control law to improve the ride comfort and road-holding capability, which are otherwise in conflict. MATLAB® (R2024a) simulations are carried out to evaluate the time and frequency domain characteristics of the quarter-car active suspension system. Individual performance indices in the presence of an active aerodynamic surface are calculated based on mean squared values for different sets of weighting factors and compared with those of passive and active suspension systems. From the viewpoint of total performance, the overall results show that the proposed control strategy enhances the performance index by approximately 70–80% compared to the active suspension system.