Abstract: Based on the Bingham model of the magnetorheological fluid, a finite element optimization design method of the rotary magnetorheological damper is presented, In this method, the magnetic permeability of magnetic material is brought into full play by optimizing the structure parameters of damper, so that the optimum electric parameters are obtained. The magnetorheological damper and the mechanic performance test system are developed to research the mechanic performance of the magnetorheological damper, and the damper properties: torque vs speed and yield torque vs current are obtained. What’s more, the temperature change is considered as one of influence factors on magnetorheological damper performance, and the properties of the damper yield torque at different temperatures and different speeds are obtained. The influence of the magnetorheological fluid shear thinning and temperature change on magnetorheological damper performance are analyzed.

Key words: Experimental investigation, Finite element method, Magnetorheological damper, Mechanic characteristic, Optimization design