Optimization design and performance analysis of variable stiffness and variable damping magnetorheological damper

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1006-754X.2025.05.119

Chinese Journal of Engineering Design

2025, Vol. 32

Issue (5): 686-695 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1006-754X.2025.05.119

Optimization Design

Optimization design and performance analysis of variable stiffness and variable damping magnetorheological damper

Dong LIU¹(

),Guoliang HU¹(

),Jiawei ZHANG^1,²,Lifan YU¹

^1.School of Mechatronics and Vehicle Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
^2.School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi Vocational College of Mechanical & Electrical Technology, Nanchang 330013, China

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Abstract

Aiming at the problems of fixed stiffness and damping coefficients and suboptimal vibration suppression performance of traditional hydraulic dampers, a variable stiffness and variable damping magnetorheological (MR) damper is designed. By integrating two springs with different stiffness coefficients in series and parallel with the MR damper, the continuous adjustable stiffness and damping force can be achieved. Firstly, the working principle of the variable stiffness and variable damping MR damper was expounded, and its damping force mathematical model and dynamics model were established. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization design targeting adjustable stiffness range, output damping force, and its adjustable range was conducted using NSGA-Ⅲ (non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-Ⅲ). Meanwhile, simulation analysis and performance comparison were conducted on the MR dampers before and after optimization. The results showed that when the applied current was 2.0 A, the optimized output damping force reached 1 188.2 N, which was 29.5% higher than that before optimization. The adjustable damping force coefficient was increased from 4.1 to 4.6, and the adjustable stiffness coefficient was increased from 3.2 to 5.3, which increased by 12.2% and 65.6% compared with before optimization, respectively. The stiffness and damping performance of the optimized MR damper was significantly improved. The designed variable stiffness and variable damping MR damper features a compact structure while maintaining continuously adjustable stiffness and damping coefficients, which can provide reference for the design and optimization of MR dampers in vehicle suspension or building vibration isolation system.

Key words： magnetorheological damper variable stiffness variable damping multi-objective optimization design

Received: 09 March 2025 Published: 31 October 2025

CLC:

TH 137.5

Corresponding Authors: Guoliang HU E-mail: 3048115907@qq.com;glhu@ecjtu.edu.cn

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Cite this article:

Dong LIU,Guoliang HU,Jiawei ZHANG,Lifan YU. Optimization design and performance analysis of variable stiffness and variable damping magnetorheological damper. Chinese Journal of Engineering Design, 2025, 32(5): 686-695.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/gcsjxb/10.3785/j.issn.1006-754X.2025.05.119 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/gcsjxb/Y2025/V32/I5/686

变刚度变阻尼磁流变阻尼器的优化设计及性能分析

针对传统液压阻尼器刚度系数、阻尼系数固定以及减振性能不佳等问题，设计了一种变刚度变阻尼磁流变阻尼器，通过将2个刚度系数不同的弹簧分别与磁流变阻尼器串、并联，以实现刚度和阻尼力的连续可调。首先，阐述了变刚度变阻尼磁流变阻尼器的工作原理，并建立了其阻尼力数学模型和动力学模型。随后，以刚度可调范围、输出阻尼力及其可调范围为目标，基于NSGA-Ⅲ（non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-Ⅲ，非支配排序遗传算法-Ⅲ）对变刚度变阻尼磁流变阻尼器进行多目标优化设计，并对优化前后的磁流变阻尼器进行了仿真分析和性能对比。结果表明，当加载电流为2.0 A时，优化后的输出阻尼力可达1 188.2 N，比优化前提升了29.5%；阻尼力可调系数由4.1提高到4.6，刚度可调系数由3.2提高到5.3，比优化前分别提升了12.2%和65.6%；优化后磁流变阻尼器的刚度和阻尼性能均显著提升。所设计的变刚度变阻尼磁流变阻尼器结构紧凑且刚度系数和阻尼系数连续可调，可为车辆悬架或建筑隔振系统中磁流变阻尼器的设计与优化提供参考。

关键词： 磁流变阻尼器, 变刚度, 变阻尼, 多目标优化设计

Fig.1 Structure diagram of variable stiffness and variable damping magnetorheological damper

Fig.2 Dynamics model and its equivalent model of magnetorheological damper

Fig.3 Magnetic-flux coupling simulation model of magnetorheological damper

Fig.4 Distribution of magnetic induction intensity in the axisymmetric cross-section of piston head

Fig.5 Distribution curves of magnetic induction intensity in the damping gap under different currents

Fig.6 Output damping force-displacement curves under different currents

Fig.7 Output damping force-velocity curves under different currents

Fig.8 Variation curve of equivalent damping coefficient with current

Fig.9 Variation curve of equivalent stiffness coefficient with current

Fig.10 Flow of multi-objective optimization design for magnetorheological damper

Table 1 Value range of design variables

Fig.11 Basic optimization process of NSGA-Ⅲ

Table 2 Fitting indicators of each agent model

Fig.12 Pareto optimal solution set for performance indicators of magnetorheological damper

Table 3 Optimization results of key parameters of magnetorheological damper

Fig.13 Variation curves of output damping force with current before and after optimization

Fig.14 Variation curves of adjustable damping force coefficient with current before and after optimization

Fig.15 Variation curves of adjustable stiffness coefficient with current before and after optimization


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