Variable-damping-characteristic wheel suspension for motor vehicle - affords choice of fixed hard and soft settings or control setting giving independently variable damping forces

摘要

Each shock-absorber (1-4) is equipped with a setting device for selection of higher or lower level damping force characteristics. Height sensors detect the relative displacement between sprung and unsprung masses. Accelerometers (11-14) near the shock-absorbers (1-4) detect the vertical acceleration of each wheel's sprung mass, and a dashboard tachometer (15) indicates road speed. Other sensors detect front wheel steering angle (16) and throttle opening (17). Three levels of damping are selectable (19). ADVANTAGE - Unnecessary noise is avoided and ride is improved without large and rapid alternation between vibration-amplifying and damping components w.r.t. vertical oscillations.