Application

Shock Absorbers

Evaluating of Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers in motor vehicles greatly influence driving safety and comfort.
Good shock absorbers exhibit the desired effects across a vast spectrum of
continuously varying operating conditions.
Shock absorbers employ a large number of hydraulic resistors that have non-linear
characteristic curves and are switched on and off as a function of the operational
mode. The working properties of shock absorbers are conventionally adapted at the
cost of great experimental effort. SimulationX provides an alternative for evaluating
their properties in advance of construction.

Simulation of
dynamic
properties such
as stiffness,
shock absorption,
friction, mass
distribution

Mechanics and
hydraulics in one
model

Parameter
specification
using geometric
data

Modeling of any
non-linearity

Model verification
and validation

Figure 1:

SimulationX quarter car model with double tube shock damper

The model of the shock absorber can be quickly generated using pre-defined
SimulationX library elements. In the present example, it is important to integrate
measured characteristic curves for the pre-defined model objects. The model
therefore contains many objects of the "Throttle Valve" type from the SimulationX
Hydraulics library, in which measured characteristic curves are taken into account.
As an alternative, hydraulic objects can also be parameterized via geometric
information. Data on the dynamic properties of tires, roadway, axle and vehicle
mass, as well as shock absorbers is gathered with elements from the Mechanics
library in SimulationX, such as Springs/Dampers/Backlash, Mass and External
Load.

ITI SimulationX 2008-03-07

Models in
different levels for
component
design and fast
calculation (HiL)

Page 2 of 4

Using High-performance SimulationX Library Elements

The SimulationX models for mapping the shock absorber are designed with resistors and check
valves. While the user demands extreme flexibility for the input of non-linear parameters and
characteristic curves, SimulationX allows

Entering any number of variables and formulas in the input field of any
parameter,

Using already in elements implemented data tables to import measured data

Reading in measured data using curve, curve set, 2D-map and 3D-map elements and
working with references in elements.
The different curve and map elements provide several interpolations, approximation and extrapolation
methods.

Figure 2:

SimulationX elements for implementing of measured data (left), shock absorber model
with signal based force-velocity-characteristics

Figure 2 shows a selection of available curve and map elements. The model displayed in Figure 2
uses a curve element to describe the force-velocity-dependency of the damper. The data in the curve
element could be measured or simulated data as well as fictive data to reach designated criteria during
the design process of components and systems. These analogues models are well appropriated for
implementing in complete system models.

ITI GmbH Webergasse 1 01067 Dresden Germany

Tel. +49 (351) 26050 0 Fax +49 (351) 26050 155
info@iti.de www.simulationx.com www.iti.de

Page 3 of 4

Analysis and Evaluation using SimulationX

Design and optimization of shock absorbers has been a demanding task. In particular, finding optimum
values and characteristic curves for the hydraulic flow resistors requires great experimental effort and a
lot of experience. Computer handling at a reasonable cost and within a relevant time period in practice
has not been feasible up to now, due to the complexity of the problem, the interaction of mechanical
and hydraulic components, and the nonlinearities of the parameters and properties.
SimulationX allows the simulation of combined hydraulic-mechanical models at the system level. It can
be used to optimize the hydraulic or mechanical structure as well as to find optimum settings for certain
parameters in advance of the construction. This saves substantial costs and helps prevent failures in
development. The results obtained by simulation have been compared with experimental data and
evaluated for their validity.
By varying the arrangement, the flow
characteristics, geometric dimensions and
opening pressures of the valves of the
piston valves and the base valves different
damping characteristics are achievable.
Figure 3 shows the model which represents
the damper under test conditions in a test
rig to determine the damper characteristics.
The one side fixed damper is excited with
different velocities and displacements. The
damping force will be measured.
Figure 3:

Damper test rig model

Results
Simulation results of these damper characteristics (progressive, linear and degressive) are shown in
Figure 4. Today in many cases for passenger car applications a degressive curve characteristic is
preferred.

Figure 4:

Simulation results of damper F-x-characteristics (left) and F-v-characteristics (right):

progressive (top), linear (middle) and degressive (bottom)

ITI GmbH Webergasse 1 01067 Dresden Germany

Tel. +49 (351) 26050 0 Fax +49 (351) 26050 155
info@iti.de www.simulationx.com www.iti.de

Page 4 of 4

The model shown in Figure 1 is used to simulate the dynamic behaviour of axle and chassis to a
ground excitation.

Figure 5:

Response to a singular ground excitation of 50mm

Conclusion and future prospects

So far this application demonstrates the simulation of a passive twin tube shock damper. The damping
of these passive damping systems is only velocity dependant. Developments in recent years lead to
active shock damping system to improve the behaviour of damping systems to the desired application.
Compared to passive shock dampers active systems can vary the damping depending on working
conditions, e.g. piston stroke, load dependent, excitation amplitude and acceleration.
One possibility to get an active damping system is to implement a proportional valve into the piston.
The damping can be influenced by varying the proportional valve opening area. To analyze the
behaviour of an active damping system the model of the passive shock damper can be easily
extended with elements of the hydraulic library, e.g. proportional control valves. Furthermore in
SimulationX the active damping control system can be designed, modelled and analyzed in
combination with the physical damper model.

ITI GmbH Webergasse 1 01067 Dresden Germany

Tel. +49 (351) 26050 0 Fax +49 (351) 26050 155
info@iti.de www.simulationx.com www.iti.de