An Optimized Approach to Suspension Control

Today, the term “suspension control” includes both damping control and spring control. Only special forms of springs are easy to control, for instance air-suspension springs or hydropneumatic springs. Apart from this, a spring's control range and its dynamic forces are smaller in comparison to those of a damper.

The following article confines itself therefore to the description of a damping-control system, and applies the term “damping control” in all cases in which the term is technically applicable.

This paper describes the new discrete semi-active damping control (System I) which is being developed jointly by BOSCH and MONROE to the series-production stage. This system uses dampers which are adjustable in two stages, and which provide for improved passenger-car ride safety and ride comfort.