Study of simultaneous shock and vibration control by a fore-and-aft suspension system of a driver’s seat

A single degree-of-freedom simulation model of a seat equipped with a non-linear fore-and-aft suspension system was developed. The performance of a typical fore-and-aft suspension system was analysed using typical vibration and shock acceleration signals measured in loaders while travelling on off-road terrain and while driving the bucket into a heap of soil. Damper modification was suggested to improve the suspension performance in the control of both vibration and shocks. Suspension system performance was analysed using the simulation approach for variations in both mass loading and excitation intensity. A discussion of results obtained and practical suggestions for improvement of the fore-and-aft driver’s seat suspension system concludes this contribution.Relevance to industryThe simulations are of use to seat manufacturers in developing improved fore-and-aft seat suspension for wheel loaders. It is shown that a damper with an optimised progressive damping characteristic provides better shock mitigation than is available with either a seat without any suspension or a suspended commercial seat as presently available on the market.