A computational design tool for the evaluation of the interaction between pneumatic trucks seats and truck suspensions

To improve driver comfort and safety, tractor and cab suspensions and driver seat suspensions have been investigated. The suspension designs have used nonlinear air springs and nonlinear shocks. The interaction between these systems has not been systematically studied. The purpose of this research is to develop and verify computer models of pneumatic truck seats and to study the interaction between the truck seat models and truck models.

A general purpose industrial program, ADAMS, was used to develop the computer models of the seats and trucks. The natural frequencies and the magnitudes of the responses of the seat models and seat-truck system models are investigated.

Experimental testing results were used to verify the seat models. The experimental tests investigated the transmissibilities and natural frequencies of the seats. The truck models were not verified by experimental results.

Results show that the computer seat models agree with the experimental results. Due to the lack of verification, only general trends could be observed in the seat-truck systems. The results show, as a general trend, the magnitudes of the responses of the seat models and the truck models decreases in the combination systems. The natural frequencies of the models may increase or decrease in the combination systems; they do not follow a general trend. With improvements in the computer models and verification of the truck models, the seat- truck models can prove to be a valuable design tool in making appropriate seat selections.