Project Presentation AGIL-K – The WIESEL 2 with Active Chassis
Trier, 02/21/2007.
The performance level of active chassis for tracked vehicles was first demonstrated by means of the active suspension innovative ground vehicle – tracked version (AGIL-K).
The project presentation of the AGIL-K (active suspension innovative ground vehicle – tracked version) on February 21, 2007 was the first presentation of a tracked vehicle with an active spring suspension. On this occasion, the performance of the chassis was shown to a group of experts that was present at the Bundeswehr Center WTD 41 test tracks.
Active chassis have only recently become part of the special equipment of luxury class passenger vehicles. It is the aim of an active chassis to avoid any compromise as far as the chassis adjustment is concerned, in particular the adjustment between comfort and the chassis roll-off behavior, and to adjust the chassis to the respective situation while driving. Another advantage of this method is the reduction of the buildup movements of the body of the vehicle.
A distinction is made between semi-active and fully active. The semi-active version allows to adjust the damping of the shock absorbers to the respective driving maneuvers. The fully active version goes even one step further. The shock absorbers, e.g. are replaced by hydraulic pistons which can be continuously extended to the required length by an electronically controlled process.
In 2004 Bundeswehr Technical Center WTD 41 initiated the AGIL-K project to examine the potential of active chassis for tracked vehicles. The WIESEL-2 was chosen as a basic vehicle since due to its relatively short tread length and its small track width the vehicle shows extreme pitch and roll movements in off-road situations.
First simulation studies gave reason to expect a considerable improvement of the damping of the vehicle’s pitch and roll movements while at the same time reducing the acceleration forces exerted on both the vehicle and the passengers. Improvements could also be expected from a military point of view, e.g. pre-stabilization for possible weapon systems or reduction of the vehicle level for air transport loading.
The experiences gained as a result of the prototype tests indicate that it will be possible to reduce the WIESEL-2 pitch movements by up to 70 % after further optimization work.
In addition to the WTD 41 Bundeswehr Technical Center, the Chair of Automatic Control Engineering and Mechatronics at the University of Paderborn and the Institute for Automotive Engineering and Drive System Engineering at the Helmut Schmidt University / Bundeswehr University of Hamburg are significantly involved in the research.
