Scenario-driven optimization of passive vehicle suspensions: explaining the effectiveness of asymmetric damping

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scenario-driven optimization framework for passive vehicle suspensions that explains when and why asymmetric damping is effective, based on vehicle dynamics and excitation conditions.

Contribution

It provides a systematic, simulation-based method to determine optimal damping ratios, clarifying the empirical guidelines for asymmetric damping in various scenarios.

Findings

Symmetric damping suffices under moderate excitation conditions.

Asymmetric damping is advantageous under severe excitation scenarios.

Rebound-to-compression damping ratios are scenario-dependent near-optimal solutions.

Abstract

Asymmetric damping is widely used in passive vehicle suspensions, with rebound damping often recommended to exceed compression damping by a factor of two to three. Despite its prevalence, this guideline remains largely empirical and lacks a systematic derivation based on vehicle dynamics and excitation conditions. This paper presents a scenario-driven optimization framework that provides a principled explanation for the effectiveness of asymmetric damping. A minimal quarter-car model is employed to isolate the key mechanisms governing the trade-off between ride comfort, road holding, and transient response, using standardized ISO~8608 road excitations. Rebound and compression damping ratios are treated as independent design variables, and optimal configurations are identified via a stochastic Cross-Entropy algorithm applied to a non-convex, simulation-based objective function. Performance is assessed through ISO~2631 weighted RMS acceleration, tire--ground contact force variability, and settling time. The results show that symmetric damping is often sufficient under moderate excitation, whereas asymmetric damping becomes necessary under severe conditions, with commonly cited rebound-to-compression ratios emerging as scenario-dependent near-optimal solutions rather than universal constants.