DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A NOVEL DAMPER USING MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID AND BALL SCREW MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study presents a novel design of a damper utilizing magnetorheological fluid (MRF) for automotive suspension systems, aiming to enhance damping force compared to previously studied MR-based dampers. The proposed damper integrates the principles of a ball screw and magnetorheological brake to convert rotational motion into linear motion. In this research, prior studies relevant to the topic are reviewed and analyzed. Subsequently, the design and modeling of this new damper is carried out using the Bingham plastic model and the finite element method (FEM). Mathematical models will also be developed to calculate the damping force and friction torque of the proposed damper. To achieve the required damping force at the lowest production cost, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is applied to optimize the design of proposed MR damper. The optimized parameters are then used to fabricate a prototype and test its practical performance. The experimental results are compared with simulation data. The novel magnetorheological fluid damper offers an efficient solution for vibration control across various applications, including automotive systems, machinery, and buildings. Ultimately, this research aims to deliver improved damping performance and foster widespread practical applications.