Objective To optimize the design of typical tangent nonlinear and hyperbolic tangent nonlinear systems. Methods A drop impact model was established for the tangent nonlinear and hyperbolic tangent nonlinear cascade system. A response algorithm was proposed for the cascade system by introducing small virtual mass. Taking into account that the maximum acceleration response value should be lower than the given allowable value and that the lower the material cost, the more economical the system is, an optimized scheme of the cascade structure was designed. Results A more economical method was achieved using the cascade structure. Conclusion Comparison of the calculation results and test results verified the correctness of the optimized scheme.