US 6,662,912 B2 · Magneto-rheological steering damper

Abstract

A vibration damper assembly to dampen the vibration generated in a motor vehicle and transmitted through, for example, a steering assembly. The vibration damper assembly includes a rotor disposed within a housing. The rotor is operatively connected to a velocity generating member such as a pinion that is integrated with the steering assembly. A conductive sleeve is disposed between the housing and the rotor. A coil engages the sleeve and is capable of generating a magnetic field that is transmitted through the sleeve. A plate separates the rotor from the sleeve thereby defining a viscous fluid chamber and a Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid chamber between the rotor and the sleeve. The viscous fluid chamber includes a Newtonian fluid and the MR fluid chamber includes a MR fluid having sheer properties reactive to the magnetic field.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A method of damping vibration transmitted through steering and suspension system of an automobile comprising the steps of:

affixing a rotary damper capable of damping vibration by generating torque to resist rotational movement to a pinion;
detecting rotational velocity of said pinion;
generating torque from a fluid having Newtonian sheer characteristics during a first rotational velocity range of said pinion;
generating a torque from a fluid having a Bingham plastic sheer characteristic during a second rotational velocity range of said pinion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magneto-rheological steering damper

Life of this patent

Magneto-rheological steering damper

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4