SINGLE VALVE CONTROL OF DAMPING AND STIFFNESS IN A LIQUID SPRING SYSTEM

摘要

A vibration control system having a liquid spring (510) positioned between a vehicule frame and a vehicle wheel (502). The liquid spring (510) uses a compressible fluid to seamlessly generate spring and/or damping forces in the vibration control system in response to relative displacement between the frame and the wheel (502). A second volume of compressible liquid (518) is connected to the liquid spring (510) by a fluid passage (520). A valve (522) is coupled to the fluid passage (520) and is selectively operable to place the second volume (518) in communication with the liquid spring (510). A controller (540) is electrically coupled to the valve (522) and emits a control signal to control the valve (522) in response to signals from vehicle sensors (550, 552, 554). The control signal is determined by a combination of a first component to alter the stiffness of the liquid spring (510) and a second component to alter the damping of the liquid spring.