Novel method for load acquisition for the shock absorber upper strut mount of an automotive suspension system

A novel method for loads acquisition to the shock absorber upper strut mount by two three-component column-type sensor and spring sensor is proposed in this research. The strain gauge configuration and the decoupling balanced bridge circuit of the proposed column-type sensor are designed and analyzed theoretically. In order to verify the theoretical analysis of the measurement bridge output, simulations, and experimental tests were performed. It was shown that the measurement bridge outputs from the theoretical analysis, simulations and experiments were basically consistent. Then, the calibration of the designed sensors was conducted according to the SAE J2570 standard specification requirements, which were then employed to measure the lateral and impact force of the shock absorber upper strut mount. Taking the loads acquired on pothole road as an example, the signal of each sensor was described and the lateral and impact force loads on the upper strut mount is finally calculated.