AN INTEGRATED RELATIVE VELOCITY SENSOR FOR REAL-TIME DAMPING APPLICATIONS

Semiactive suspension systems using real-time damping (RTD) provide si gnificant improvement in vehicle ride and handling without the high co st of fully active suspensions, RTD systems require a variable rate da mper (shock absorber), a relative velocity sensor (RVS), and a control ler. To reduce the cost of such systems, a method for integrating a mo ving magnet relative velocity sensor directly into the shock absorber is presented. This integrated relative velocity sensor (IRVS) uses exi sting hydraulic and mechanical components as part of its magnetic circ uit to reduce part count and cost. Sensitivity to key design parameter s is analyzed using a finite element model. The IRVS is self-energizin g, requires no signal processing electronics, and can be integrated in to standard shock absorber configurations. Prototype sensors were test ed on a vehicle and provided excellent performance under all testing c onditions.