Title: Development of a computer controlled suspension system

Authors: J. Poyser

Addresses: Chief Enginer (Engineering Research), Armstrong Patents Co. Ltd., Product Engineering Division, Manor Lane, Shipton Road, York YO3 6UA, UK

Abstract: The majority of passenger cars have a suspension system which includes fixed spring rater and damping. It is accepted that these systems do not provide the best ride and handling over the wide range of conditions encountered with a varying vehicle load. Changes in vehicle design, the trend to lighter cars and consumer demands will dictate a level of performance which can only be met by radical design change. To provide adaptive suspension, which automatically adjusts the springing and damping to the optimum, is the challenge which confronts suspension engineers. A practical and cost effective system using a microprocessor with high resolution sensors and rapid response valuer is described in this paper. The future development of such systems is discussed, and in line with the general trend in automotive electronics it is envisaged that highly sophisticated control systems will evolve.

Keywords: adaptive suspension control; computer controlled suspension; control systems; vehicle suspension; variable control; damping; vehicle control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1987.061192

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1987 Vol.8 No.1, pp.74 - 86

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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