Suspension damper temperature compensation systems and methods
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsBrian D. Rutkowski, David John Rutkowski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.
Claims22
A method of controlling a vehicle damper, comprising:
- estimating with a controller, a temperature of a fluid of the vehicle damper based on a sensed ambient temperature and sensed data relating to heat added to the fluid and heat lost from the fluid;
- and
- changing a size of at least one fluid flow path of the vehicle damper linearly in proportion to a change in the estimated temperature of the fluid of the vehicle damper.
A damper control system, comprising:
- a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on a sensed ambient temperature and data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid;
- and
- at least one damper operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to continuously change a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper in proportion to a change in the estimated temperature.
A vehicle having a suspension control system, comprising:
- a suspension damper;
- a controller comprising:
- a damping force calculation module configured to output a signal relating to a desired damping force;
- a temperature estimation module configured to provide an estimated damper fluid temperature;
- a temperature compensation module configured to output a temperature compensation signal relating to the estimated damper fluid temperature;
- and
- a damping force control module configured to continuously adjust a parameter of the suspension damper based on the desired damping force signal and in proportion to the temperature compensation signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.