Fuzzy Control of Active Vehicle Suspensions for Enhanced Safety in Goods Transport

Suspension systems play a critical role in ensuring the safety, comfort, and stability of vehicles during the transportation of both passengers and goods.Among various suspension technologies, active or electronic suspensions have emerged as the most advanced due to their ability to dynamically adjust damping characteristics, thereby optimizing vehicle performance.This is typically achieved by modulating the pressure or flow of air or oil within the damper, or by altering its physical properties.To facilitate such dynamic adjustments, an effective control system is essential.Soft computing techniques, such as fuzzy logic controllers, are increasingly employed for their robustness and adaptability in providing the required control forces.In this study, the active suspension system was controlled via a fuzzy logic controller, with a piezoelectric actuator employed to generate the control force.A comparative analysis was conducted with traditional control methods, including the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, to evaluate the performance of the fuzzy logic approach.Simulation results demonstrated that both control strategies were capable of achieving stable and smooth suspension behavior.However, fuzzy control was found to respond more quickly to dynamic changes, while the PID controller exhibited superior performance during the initial stages of vibration, offering enhanced safety during the commencement of transport.These findings underscore the potential of fuzzy logic control in optimizing the active suspension systems for improved vehicle dynamics and the safe transport of sensitive goods.