A suspension system includes a first and second mass and an actuator connected with the first mass and with the second mass and configured to influence a relative movement between the first mass and the second mass. The actuator includes a tube, and a magnetic assembly disposed in the tube. The actuator is configured to generate a force between the magnetic assembly and the tube as a result of the relative movement between the two. A motor is configured to rotate the magnetic assembly relative to the tube to vary the force in a velocity-dependent relationship. The actuator may generate forces to resist or assist motion between the first and second masses.

A control method for hybrid electromagnetic suspension. The method provides four modes for hybrid electromagnetic suspension: a comfort mode, a sport mode, a combined mode, and an energy feedback mode. A driver can switch between the four modes as desired. For the comfort, sport, and combined modes, hybrid control is adopted, and two sub-modes are provided: an active control mode and a semi-active control mode. A switching condition between the two sub-modes is determined by using a novel parameter C.sub.act and comparing the same against a maximum equivalent electromagnetic damping coefficient C.sub.eqmax of a linear motor. The present invention solves the problem of achieving a balance between suspension comfort and tire traction, and meets the demands of different operating conditions and users by enabling manual mode switching. In addition, the hybrid control is employed to solve the problems of high energy consumption of active suspension and limited control performance of semi-active suspension, thus ensuring good kinematic performance of automobile suspension while reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the energy feedback mode is designed to enable the suspension to perform energy recovery, meeting demands of energy conservation and emission reduction.

A suspension system includes: an electromagnetic damper 2 that is provided between a vehicle body B which is a sprung member of a vehicle and a tire T which is an unsprung member of the vehicle, and applies a damping force and a drive force in a stroke direction to the vehicle body B and the tire T by a motor; an unsprung member acceleration sensor that detects unsprung member acceleration in the stroke direction of the tire; and an ECU that controls the motor. The ECU controls the motor to generate a load F.sub.m in such a direction that increases the relative velocity of the vehicle body B with respect to the tire T and of an amount corresponding to the unsprung member acceleration.

An overload suspension system configured for operative engagement to a vehicle having a first leaf spring and second leaf spring to provide auxiliary support to the vehicle when overloaded. A first control arm attached to a first torsion bar has a distal end positioned a separation distance from the first leaf spring. A second control arm attached to the second control arm has a distal end positioned substantially the same separation distance from the second leaf spring. The suspension system operates as an auxiliary suspension only when added weight to the vehicle deflects both leaf springs to contact a respective one of the control arms, thereby preserving the ride and suspension characteristics of the vehicle when the added weight is not present.

An electrically powered suspension system performs an accurate vibration damping of a vehicle with low power consumption even if a linear motor of an electromagnetic actuator strokes to reach an irregular region and includes an electromagnetic actuator generating a driving force for the vibration damping. A linear motor of the actuator includes a cylindrical rod member provided with a plurality of on-rod armature coils along its axis and a housing surrounding the rod member, mounted movable back and forth along the axis with respect to the rod member, and provided with a plurality of permanent magnets along the axis. The on-rod armature coils located on ends of the rod member are provided with short-circuit parts b suppressing the rod member and the housing from moving back and forth with respect to each other.

A suspension device includes: a hydraulic damper including a rod provided with a valve for generating a hydraulic pressure when the rod is displaced between a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber; and an electric damper configured to electrically displace the rod by an actuator. The electric damper includes: an outer cylinder; an inner cylinder; a piston provided on the rod and configured to stroke in the inner cylinder; and a communication passage disposed inside the inner cylinder at a central portion where the piston strokes. The communication passage establishes communication between the first liquid chamber at one axial end side of the piston and the second liquid chamber at another axial end side of the piston.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an electromagnetic suspension apparatus capable of quickly reducing an influence of a mechanical frictional force generated in each part of an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic suspension apparatus includes an electromagnetic actuator that generates a driving force related to a damping operation and an expansion and contraction, an information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle state information including a stroke speed of the electromagnetic actuator, an equivalent frictional force calculation unit that calculates an equivalent frictional force of the electromagnetic actuator based on the vehicle state information, and an ECU that calculates a target driving force of the electromagnetic actuator and controls the driving force of the electromagnetic actuator using the calculated target driving force. The ECU corrects the target driving force based on the equivalent frictional force calculated by the equivalent frictional force calculation unit.

A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

A vehicle body mount assembly includes an inner metal sleeve, a polymer mounting bracket with a damper opening oriented coaxially with the inner metal sleeve, an elastomeric damper disposed within the damper opening between the inner metal sleeve and the polymer mounting bracket, at least one fastening element embedded in and extending from the polymer mounting bracket, and a ferrule disposed at least partially within the inner metal sleeve. A polymer outer sleeve can be included and disposed between elastomeric damper and the polymer mounting bracket. Also, the at least one fastening element can be a stud bolt with a head embedded in the polymer mounting bracket, a nut embedded in the polymer mounting bracket, or a metal sleeve configured for a bolt to extend therethrough embedded in the polymer mounting bracket.

A system and method for reducing energy consumption by an active suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method includes determining whether the vehicle is in park or neutral and determining the speed of the vehicle. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the speed is greater than a predetermined speed. A throttle angle is determined if the speed is less than a predetermined speed. The active suspension system is set to a normal operating mode if the throttle angle is greater than a predetermined angle and to a power saving mode if the throttle angle is less than a predetermined angle for more than a predetermined amount of time.