Ride comfort comparison between 4-poster and full vehicle driving simulations using difference thresholds

Difference thresholds of whole-body vibration is important to determine perceptibility of changes in vehicle vibration and can be used to guide ride comfort improvements. It is postulated that estimated difference thresholds in a laboratory setting should be applicable to real-world driving conditions given that the stimuli are similar. This study considers the aspect of vehicle vibration associated with the stimulus. A validated non-linear SUV vehicle model is simulated on a 4-poster test rig and driven in a straight-line over a rough road. This allows for the vehicle vibration to be compared between vertical excitation only (4-poster) and complete excitation (straight-line driving) by the road profile at each of the four wheels. Results show that differences in the seat vibration exists between the 4-poster test rig and straight-line driving simulations. These differences are larger than difference thresholds implying that they would most probably be perceivable. Further investigations are needed to determine the influence of differences in vibration stimuli on difference thresholds.