Patent ID: 7434458

Claim:
A system for determining coil spring force line range corresponding to specific damper friction values using a force field generator mechanism to mimic a spring, said mechanism having spaced apart moveable platforms and at least one actuable link interconnecting the platforms at corresponding joints on opposite ends of the link, the determined force line range being used in coil spring design, said system comprising: a structure for securing said mechanism to a suspension system including a damper; a controller for controlling at least one link of said mechanism for exerting force between upper and lower platforms of said mechanism; a system for performing a capability study of said mechanism; a system for determining a desired coil spring force line position based upon said capability study; a system for performing damper friction measurements for determining a coil spring force line position for minimizing damper friction, wherein said system for performing said damper friction measurements includes a system for inputting an oscillation to said suspension system, a system for evaluating damper friction for a range of coil spring force line positions, and a system for selecting at least one of an optimal coil spring force line position and a range of coil spring force line positions for minimizing damper friction by sweeping upper and lower positions through a predetermined range; a system for determining said coil spring force line range based upon said damper friction measurements; a load cell mounted on said links for determining said damper friction; a system for evaluating a three-dimensional plot of damper friction; and a system for selecting a range of coil spring force line positions below a predetermined acceptable damper friction.