Paschedag J., Koch G.

This paper provides insights and practical guidelines regarding energy-saving arrangements of force actuators in active vibration control systems. The considered application is so called active vibration isolation: To improve the driving comfort in an automobile, the engine induced vibration is to be kept off the driver’s cabin. The results of the presented analysis are compared to measurement data of an experimental car setup. For the successful realization of active vibration control systems, an advantageous configuration of the physical system is crucial. In the application considered here, the mechanical construction of the car is largely determined and optimized regarding passive vibration attenuation. However, it is still to be determined how and where to integrate the actuators for the additional active cancellation in the structure. Six different configurations are taken in account. In three cases force actuators are applied as components of reaction mass actuators. In three others the force actuators are installed parallel to existing spring-damper suspensions in the setup. The remaining differentiation is given by the different attachment locations for the actuators. Possible options are the engine itself, the chassis or the metallic subframe mounted in between. Some advantages and disadvantages of the configurations are determined by fundamental physical considerations. For a further numerical analysis, mathematical models of the damped systems are determined. With these, the occurring values of the physical signals in the setup are investigated. Additionally, making use of the systems transfer functions, algebraic formulas for the average power consumption – both mechanical and electrical – are derived. With these a frequency related comparison of the different configurations is performed. For calculation of electrical power consumption, force actuators of voice coil type are employed. The energy requirements are considered for driver electronics with and without energy recovery as well. The obtained results are compiled and discussed.