Common Motors is seeking to apply expertise from adaptive dampers to springs for future suspension techniques, a just lately surfaced patent submitting signifies.
GM was a pioneer of magnetorheological dampers, which use a magnetic fluid to shortly alter damper firmness. In a patent software revealed by america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Nov. 7, 2024, and filed by GM Might 5, 2023, the automaker lays out a design for magnetorheological springs as effectively.
Common Motors adaptive spring patent picture
Magnetorheological works through the use of magnets to regulate its viscosity, which occurs when metallic particles within the fluid react to a magnetic area. That is at present utilized in dampers to modify between agency and delicate settings, however within the doc GM discusses utilizing it to regulate spring charges to emphasize efficiency or experience consolation as wanted.
The design within the patent software consists of two particular person springs with a central seat in between. The seat would have an outer sleeve containing magnetorheological fluid, together with electromagnets. When the magnets are energized, the fluid turns into thicker and inhibits the motion of the springs. De-energizing the magnets permits for extra spring motion and thus extra suspension journey.
Common Motors adaptive spring patent picture
Not all patented concepts make it to manufacturing, but it surely does not take an excessive amount of creativeness to image adaptive springs built-in with future variations of the MagneRide damping system utilized in present GM fashions.
No comparable patent purposes from different automakers have surfaced just lately, but it surely seems Ford is engaged on position-sensitive dampers to rival the Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve) dampers used within the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and different GM off-road vehicles.
