– In the present study, two passive and a semi-active suspension systems with squeeze-mode electro-rheological (ER) dampers are presented to reduce the transmitted forces to the driver. Since the rigid connection of the driver’s seat to the cabin with ER damper imposed undesirable values of acceleration to the driver, an independent ER-based suspension for the seat is applied to the assembly. A 2-DOF model of the system is constructed and a modified direct integration algorithm is used to simulate the transient behavior of the system. Further, to maintain the acceleration of the driver’s seat in its allowable limit a fuzzy logic control system (FLC) is applied. As the results present, the designed controller was found very effective in reduction of the transmitted force to the driver.

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