Vehicle suspension damper with relative velocity sensor having controlled flux path
US5251729A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2600/24
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A relative velocity sensor in a vehicle suspension damper comprises an annular, radially polarized magnet at the top of the shock cylinder adjacent a sensor winding on the inside of the dust tube. A closed magnetic circuit is defined from the magnet through an annular magnetic member inside the magnet to the piston rod and back through the dust tube across the sensor winding to the magnet. Flux below the magnet is similarly confined through the cylinder and does not affect the sensor winding. The air gaps at the winding and the piston rod do not change with axial movement; and the flux linkage variation with axial movement is thus linear across the entire coil. A voltage is generated across the coil which is a strong and accurate signal of relative movement between the sprung and unsprung masses of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.