Automotive suspension system with variable damping characteristics
US4696489A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2800/916
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In order to ensure riding comfort and driving stability in an automotive suspension system, the nature of the effect of the damping force generated by the suspension system is observed. When the damping characteristics of the suspension system are too hard, resulting in amplification of vibrations in the suspension system, the damping characteristics are softened to ensure satisfactory riding comfort. Therefore, according to the present invention, an automotive suspension system has variable damping characteristics which depend on the nature of the damping force produced in response to bounding and/or rebounding motion of the vehicle so as to optimize damping characteristics to achieve both riding comfort and driving stability. In the preferred embodiment, a suspension control system uses the vibration frequency of a sprung mass and the relative speed between the sprung mass and an unsprung mass as control parameters representing the nature of damping force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.