Anti-roll bar with link actuator for controlling torsional rigidity

An apparatus for use in a vehicle suspension, the apparatus comprising:

• an anti-roll bar having opposite first and second end portions, an intermediate portion interposed between the first and second end portions and being subjected to torsional forces when the first and second end portions move relative to one another;
• and
• an actuator for attaching at least one of the first and second end portions to a part of the vehicle suspension;
• the actuator comprising a cylinder for retaining fluid and a piston assembly for dividing the cylinder into two chambers, the piston assembly being movable axially within the cylinder,
• the piston assembly including structure forming orifices for interconnecting the two chambers of the cylinder, a fluid flow area of the orifices being adjustable to vary a resistance to relative movement of the first and second end portions of the anti-roll bar,
• the fluid comprising an electrorheological fluid having an electrically variable viscosity.

An apparatus for use in a suspension of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• an anti-roll bar having opposite first and second end portions, an intermediate portion interposed between the first and second end portions and being subjected to torsional forces when the first and second end portions move relative to one another;
• an actuator for controlling torsional stiffness of the anti-roll bar, the actuator attaching at least one of the first and second end portions to a part of the vehicle suspension;
• and
• a lateral acceleration sensor for continuously sensing lateral acceleration of the vehicle, a signal from the lateral acceleration sensor controlling the actuator, the actuator comprising a cylinder for retaining fluid and a piston assembly for dividing the cylinder into two chambers, the piston assembly being movable axially within the cylinder,
• the piston assembly including structure forming orifices for interconnecting the two chambers of the cylinder, a fluid flow area of the orifices being adjustable to vary a resistance to relative movement of the first and second end portions of the anti-roll bar.