Nonlinear passive magnetorheological damping characteristics of the scissor-like isolation platform

Scissor-like isolation platform (SIP) with magnetorheological damper (MRD) has been commonly studied and applied successfully in vehicle vibration isolation. This paper concerns passive nonlinear magnetorheological (MR) characteristics of the SIP via geometric nonlinearity induced by MRD’s layout ways. A dynamic parametric model of the SIP with six assembly types is derived based on Lagrange equation. Then, the parameter analysis is performed to estimate MR damping function in SIP. The analytical steady-state response of the isolator is derived using harmonic balance method, and its effectiveness is validated with numerical results. Metrics are defined to access the performance of the isolator, followed by comparison on displacement transmissibility for six types. The effect of MR damping coefficient and input amplitude on the performance of the isolator is investigated. Finally, comparative study with existing isolators is conducted. Results indicate that, passive MR damping is dependent on vibration displacement, which is beneficial to suppressing peak transmissibility with a little effect at non-resonant frequencies. The results also reveal that the isolator by type 1 or 3 has broader isolation band over other types. And the SIP in type 1 has wider isolation band and lower peak transmissibility compared with existing isolators in allowable workspace.