Comparative Study of One and Two-Step Type- Serpentine Magnetic Field Path Magnetorheological Valve for Excavator Seat Suspension Design

This paper compares one-step and two-step serpentine magnetic field path magnetorheological (MR) valves, which are crucial for adaptive damping systems in excavator seat suspensions. The device is useful for preventing lower back pain for the excavator operator who is working continuously for land expansion or mining. Serpentine MR valve types efficiently utilize magnetic fields using varying magnetic field paths without altering the usual fluid flow path. But, the comparison of the innovative technology configurations needs to be further studied. This study aims to compare the pressure drop and magnetic fields of these designs. Methods include an overview of the seat suspension mechanism, MR damper and valve design, pressure drop and damping force calculations, and Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling using FEMM software for magnetic field analysis. Results show the two-step serpentine MR valve has a higher pressure drop due to its complex magnetic field path, enhancing controllability and damping force effectiveness. The study concludes that the two-step design outperforms the one-step in pressure drop and magnetic field efficiency, providing better damping control for adaptive suspension systems highlighting the importance of optimizing MR valve design.