Controlled suspension systems
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Controlled Suspension systems are electronically regulated devices able to enhance vehicle performance and passengers comfort levels, with respect to conventional vehicles. Semi-active systems aim to manage vehicle behavior without any hydraulic energy supply, requiring only a very low amount of electrical power. At this category belongs the continuously adjustable damping system, regulating the damping force by means of electro-hydraulic or magneto-rheologic dampers. Active systems, such as Active Roll Control or Active Suspension, can strongly affect vehicle attitude by managing energy coming from a dedicated power source (i.e. pump). Actuators can be hydraulic or electromechanical.
Semi-active Damping Control deals with ride-comfort improvement and body modal velocities management, by processing proprietary signals (i.e. vertical accelerations) and sharing other information on the CAN network.
Active Roll Control (ARC) main focus is to impose roll angle and to stabilize the vehicle by smoothing yaw rate oscillations typical of a conventional car during sudden avoidance maneuver or throttle release. Cornering behavior in static maneuvers (i.e. under-steer characteristic) is enhanced as well.
Targets of Active Roll Control are:
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roll angle control
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under-steer regulation & cornering traction
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enhance yaw dynamic stabilization & stability
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cutting yaw oscillation
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managing cornering behavior in longitudinal acceleration
Active Suspension allow, more than ARC, axles levelling, pitch angle and, eventually, hubs waggle control.
CRF was involved in the development of Semi-Active Damping Control systems and Active Roll Control systems, on different prototypes. |