Abstract
Active suspension for automobiles involves an active control of wheel motions. This work investigates the possibility of realizing controlled wheel motion for an active suspension using piezoceramic actuation. The proposed concept deviates significantly from conventional practice of using heavier, hydraulic actuators. Rather than accomplising the wheel motion using the direct stroke of an actuator, the motion is to be realized by actively modifying the stiffness of the suspension system using piezoceramic sensing and actuation. Preliminary analysis and experimentation are performed to test the above concept. Two candidate designs are presented for composite piezoceramic suspension elements. It is shown that it is possible to control suspension system deflections through sufficient motion ranges necessary for this application.
