IMPROVEMENT OF VIBRATIONAL COMFORT OF AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES USING ER MOUNTS

Investigations in recent years show that uncomfortable agricultural vehicles seat threat the health of their operators. In fact, the isolation of the vibration transmitted to the driver is a main source of comfort. In order to reduce these fluctuations, an active cabin suspension based on four ER mounts is presented in this study. Electro-rheological (ER) fluids are a class of smart materials that some of their rheological properties, such as viscosity and shear modulus, changes under the influence of an applied electric field. In order to improve the reliability and efficiency of the suspension system a combination of viscous dampers and ER dampers is also investigated. The results presented herein indicated that a considerable reduction in transmitted vibration can be achieved using proper ER mount and closed loop control system.

Keywords:

ER dampers , Vibration control , Cabin suspension