Suppression of heavy-truck driver-seat vibration using sliding-mode control and quantitative feedback theory

Abstract The current paper presents a robust control method that combines sliding-mode control (SMC) and quantitative feedback theory (QFT) for designing a driver seat of a heavy vehicle to reduce driver fatigue. A mathematical model is considered to analyse tracking control characteristics through computer simulation in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology. The SMC is used to track the trajectory of the desired motion behaviour of the seat. However, when the system enters into sliding regime, chattering occurs owing to switching delays as well as vehicle system vibrations. The chattering is eliminated with the introduction QFT inside the boundary layer to ensure smooth tracking. Furthermore, using SMC alone requires higher actuator forces for tracking than using both the control schemes together, and causes various problems in selecting hardware. Problems with noise amplification, resonances, presence of uncertainties, and unmodelled high-frequency dynamics can largely be avoided with the use of QFT over other optimization methods. The main contribution of the present paper is to provide guidance in designing the controller to reduce heavy vehicle seat vibration so that the driver's sensation of comfort maintains a certain level at all times.