Patent ID: 8457841
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a suspension system with optimized damper response, wherein a sprung mass is suspended by the suspension system, the suspension system including a wheel assembly having a wheel center and a mass, m, a nonlinear damper wherein the damper is connected between the sprung mass and the wheel assembly, and a spring having a predetermined spring force, F(x), as a function of displacement of the wheel relative to the sprung mass wherein the spring is connected between the sprung mass and the wheel assembly, said method comprising the steps of: providing a substantially constant total force, F(L), on the wheel assembly with respect to the sprung mass during a jounce event over a travel length of the wheel center of the wheel assembly with respect to the sprung mass, wherein the travel length extends between zero and L; wherein the wheel center of the wheel assembly has a velocity U wherein F(L) is a combination of a damper force, Φ(y), provided by the damper and of the spring force, F(x), provided by the spring, where for any wheel center velocity, y, where 0≦y≦U 0 , and where the damping rate of the damper provides where L is given by and wherein the wheel center velocity, y, responsive to the jounce event is related to a velocity, v, of the damper by a predetermined ratio, r, where y=v/r.