SKF's Electromagnetic Suspensions Offer 60% Better Ride Quality

SKF and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) engineers have jointly developed computer controlled electromagnetic suspensions that offer 60% better ride quality. SKF is a Swedish company well known for their bearings, lubricants and mechatronics related offerings. The suspension is Bart Gysen's PhD research topic. The capabilities of the new electromagnetic suspensions were demoed with a standard BMW 530i hopping up & down like a 'lowrider' - which of course isn't the intention of the project, but to show how this suspension can be controlled via computer to respond within a fraction of a second. High Speed Response (HSR) is a striking feature of this system.

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Bart Gysen and the test car. Photo: Bart van Overbeeke.

How Electromagnetic Suspension Works

The newly developed suspension is an active suspension system - which means it is 'actively' controlled by an on-board computer system. Active suspensions are not new, but current systems rely on hydraulics to mechanically respond to the uneven road conditions. The Eindhoven suspension system uses accelerometers and special sensors mounted on the car to receive inputs of the road conditions and feed them to the computer to take immediate actions. Researchers say that hydraulic systems are not as quick as electromagnetic suspensions therefore the new suspensions offer better ride quality.

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The new system is of the same size of a traditional hydraulic shock absorber. It comprises of a passive spring, an electromagnetic actuator, a central control unit with a set of batteries. The electromagnets are used to provide passive shock absorption. This means that in case of failure of electromagnetic suspensions, the system can independently operate as a pure mechanical shock absorber.

The shock absorbers can be implemented in Ambulances to offer vibration free transport for critical patients. The system can also be fitted in High-End Luxury cars to offer a high-class ride quality even on uneven roads.

We wish Bart all the best for his research. Prof.Dr. Elena Lomonova of Eindhoven University Electrical Engineering Department is guiding Bart's research.

Via: #-Link-Snipped-#Source: =10617&tx_ttnews[backPid]=361&cHash=5c0da32bf0]Technishe University