Active suspension systems and components using piezoelectric sensing and actuation devices

Date

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Volume Title

Publisher

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Abstract

Description

A lightweight, high performance, active suspension system utilizing piezoelectric regulated springs, and a method of manufacturing the suspension system, is described. Piezoelectric material is bonded to suspension springs, and excited appropriately to vary the stiffness of the suspension system. A method of controlling the stiffness of a spring includes piezoelectric material bonded to the spring, a sensor system for generating a signal proportional to the loading imposed on the spring, and controller for exciting the piezoelectric material in response to the signal. A control system for controlling the stiffness of a spring including embedding a plurality of piezoelectric particles within an electrically conductive matrix forming the body of the spring is also described.

Keywords

280/5.515, 267/162, 267/228, 280/124.134, 280/124.141, 280/124.165, 280/124.171, 310/316.01

Citation

DOI