Patent ID: 6543589
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
A method for controlling the damping force of a damper, wherein the method comprises the steps of:A. providing a vehicle with a damper having a movable object located within a magneto-rheological fluid, wherein the damping force of the damper is controlled by the viscosity of such fluid; B. providing a controller which is in communication with the damper, wherein the controller controls the provision of electrical energy to an electromagnetic coil in the damper; C. utilizing the controller to provide electrical energy to the electromagnetic coil, wherein a positive voltage produces a magnetic field as the magneto-rheological fluid flows through a passageway in the damper to increase the viscosity of the fluid and thereby increase the damping force of the damper; and D. utilizing the controller to reverse the polarity of the electrical energy provided to the electromagnetic coil, wherein a reduced negative voltage reduces the magnetic field in the magneto-rheological fluid to decrease the viscosity of the fluid and thereby decrease the damping force of the damper.