US 11,673,445 B2
Powertrain proactive damping system using magneto rheological materials
Jorge de Jesus Rodriguez Mauricio, Zapopan (MX); Cesar Alejandro Santana Castaneda, Guadalajara (MX); and Luis Javier Del Real Ibanez, Rochester, MI (US)
Assigned to Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed by Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/526,123.
Prior Publication US 2021/0031584 A1, Feb. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. B60G 17/0165 (2006.01); B60G 17/015 (2006.01); B60G 17/019 (2006.01); B60K 5/12 (2006.01); B60G 13/12 (2006.01); F16F 1/36 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01)
CPC B60G 17/0165 (2013.01) [B60G 13/12 (2013.01); B60G 17/0152 (2013.01); B60G 17/01908 (2013.01); B60K 5/1208 (2013.01); F16F 1/361 (2013.01); F16F 1/3615 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); B60G 2202/24 (2013.01); B60G 2400/10 (2013.01); B60G 2401/00 (2013.01); F16F 2224/025 (2013.01); F16F 2228/066 (2013.01); F16F 2230/18 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system, comprising:
a plurality of shock absorbers mounted on a powertrain structure of a vehicle including a chassis and a suspension of the vehicle, each shock absorber comprising:
a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE),
a proactive clamp structure constructed and arranged to provide active damping control in two axes and to clamp on a portion of the suspension to be vibration controlled, and
an electromagnet embedded within the proactive clamp structure to actuate the MRE,
a control unit including a processor circuit,
at least one sensor constructed and arranged to obtain vibration data regarding the powertrain structure, the at least one sensor being electrically connected with the control unit, and
a LIDAR sensor mounted on the vehicle and electrically connected with the control unit, the LIDAR sensor being constructed and arranged to provide data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle,
wherein, based on data from at the least one sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to proactively control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated shock absorber to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure, and
wherein the plurality of shock absorbers includes a proactive shaft bearing structure constructed and arranged to engage a transmission shaft and the processor circuit is configured to proactively control voltage to the electromagnets to proactively selectively adjust a rigidity of the proactive shaft bearing structure.