SEMI-ACTIVE SUSPENSION

(ELECTRONIC DAMPER)
Suspension control systems that absorb vibration or
movement may be categorized as follows:

 Passive:
No power required;
Directly damps vibration.

 Semi-active:
Requires minimal power;
Applies the force that changes the system;
Change helps dampen the vibration.

 Active:
Requires power;
Applies a force directly into the system to damp vibration.

 Hybrid:
That is combinations of the other three classes.
 Semi-active suspension system involves special type
of variable dampers that are different from passive vehicle
suspensions.
Damping properties of these components can be changed via
magnetic or electric effect.

These dampers are controlled by an external control

system; therefore their damping characteristics can be
changed with respect to vehicle load, speed and road
conditions.

There are sensors that give the necessary feedback about

the vehicle’s states and along with actuators and control
units on the vehicle.
Semi-active suspensions are terms usually used to describe
vehicular suspensions that have some form of intelligence in the
shock absorbers (dampers).

Typically the damping curves may be altered such that the wheel
control over the range of inputs is maximized.

These vehicular suspensions also require fast-acting devices and

complex mechatronic control algorithms.

The algorithms are based on the following control concepts:

(a) Skyhook
(b) Groundhook
(c) Hybrid Skyhook / Groundhook
The internal valve controller, operated by a
solenoid, varies the damping force
corresponding to the piston velocity and
position by changing the area of orifice that
allows the working fluid to pass through.
 Electronic Damper Systems - Work with any type of suspension
spring solution – Air bags, Coil springs, torsion bars, etc.

Self Contained Gas Charged

Hydraulic Damper
•Mono-tube / Twin tube Damper
Construction
•Sensors, Control Valve, Electronics
Fully Integrated

ASI Damping Range vs. Passive

8000 High Performance Valve
g

•Provides very high damping ratio for

pin
am

7000

handling & comfort

xD
Ma

6000
ASI Operating Range
•Huge damping forces generated in
I
AS

5000
Force (N)

4000
Shock to prevent bottoming
3000 am
per •Less than 10 milliseconds response
time, fast enough to provide effective
D
ve
ssi
Pa
end stop and necessary motion control
2000
ing
in Damp
ASI M
•Damper switches to default passive
1000

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 curve in case of valve failure
Velocity (m/sec)
 ECU Position
sensor

Power

ECU Position
sensor