Neural network control of seat vibrations of a non-linear full vehicle model using PMSM

In this paper, the dynamic behaviour of a non-linear eight degrees of freedom vehicle model having active suspensions and passenger seat using Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) controlled by a Neural Network (NN) controller is examined. A robust NN structure is established by using principle design data from the Matlab diagrams of system functions. In the NN structure, Fast Back-Propagation Algorithm (FBA) is employed. The user inputs a set of 16 variables while the output from the NN consists of f(1)-f(16) non-linear functions. Further, the PMSM controller is also determined using the same NN structure. Various tests of the NN structure demonstrated that the model is able to give highly sensitive outputs for vibration condition, even using a more restricted input data set. The non-linearity occurs due to dry friction on the dampers. The vehicle body and the passenger seat using PMSM are fully controlled at the same time. The time responses of the non-linear vehicle model due to road disturbance and the frequency responses are obtained. Finally, uncontrolled and controlled cases are compared. It is seen that seat vibrations of a non-linear full vehicle model are controlled by a NN-based system with almost zero error between desired and achieved outputs. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.