Active vibration control on a complex 3D structure using piezoelectric patches

Abstract

Active vibration control applications are still limited to beam-like and plate-like structures with properly defined boundary conditions. In this study, we will extend the active vibration control methodologies to automotive applications which include 3D complex plate-like structures with complex boundary conditions. This paper focuses on implementation of active vibration control first on a real vehicle panel and then on a complex 3D structure which is a quarter body-in-white (BIW) vehicle assembly. The active vibration control system built in this study employs piezoelectric patches as actuators and sensors for vibration control. Optimal locations for the piezoelectric actuators are identified by obtaining the high strain regions for the targeted vibration modes. Sensors are placed on the structure in collocated configuration with the actuators. The performance of the controller algorithm is first tested through simulations for the vehicle panel using MATLAB/Simulink and then the results are verified by experimental studies. The controller uses Positive Position Feedback (PPF) algorithm which is known to be effective in reducing vibration levels at resonance frequencies. The same methodology is also implemented to the 3D complex structure and then experimental performance of the controller for multiple modes of the structure is presented.