Title: Electronic shock absorber control as part of an integrated suspension management for commercial vehicles

Authors: Hans Otto Becher, Andreas Sieber

Addresses: Suspension Control Systems, WABCO Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen, Am Lindener Hafen 21, 30453 Hannover, Germany. ' Shock Absorber Development, Fichtel & Sachs AG, Roentgenstralje 2, 97424 Schweinfurt, Germany

Abstract: Up-to-date commercial vehicles are equipped with air suspension, often electronically controlled. The ECAS-system (Electronically Controlled Air Suspension) has been successfully established since 1986. To improve ride comfort, road stress and the handling properties of commercial vehicles, ECAS was extended by means of Electronic Shock Absorber Control, ESAC. The integration of both subsystems - levelling and damper control - in one electronic suspension management is very advantageous: both functions use the same sensors and only one ECU. The paper emphasises results of road tests with a heavy truck. The shock absorber prototypes are switchable in three steps. The results show the potential and benefit of a shock absorber control. Further research activities are aimed at developing continuously controllable shock absorbers. As an outlook the paper points to another component of the integrated suspension management, the Electronic Spring Rate Control ESRC.

Keywords: cargo treatment; commercial vehicles; vehicle handling; ride comfort; road stress; suspension control; variable shock absorbers; shock absorber control; integrated suspension management; vehicle suspension; electronic suspension management; heavy trucks; heavy vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1996.054550

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1996 Vol.3 No.1/2/3/4, pp.36 - 54

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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