Inductive shock absorber
An inductive shock absorber for a motor vehicle is provided having a cylindrical damper tube and a damper rod. A related method for operating a shock absorber is also provided.
1 . A shock absorber for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a cylindrical damper tube; and
a damper rod, which can move in a linear manner inside the damper tube, and in which at least one permanent magnet is situated, wherein at least two coils are arranged in the damper tube, wherein a first coil and a second coil of the at least two coils are configured to be energized, during operation, by electric currents of different current strength simultaneously to regulate dampening characteristics of the shock absorber.
2 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two coils are arranged one on top of the other inside the damper tube.
3 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two coils comprise cylindrical coils having an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the damper rod.
4 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two coils comprise toroidal coils having an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the damper rod.
5 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , comprising exactly two coils.
6 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , comprising more than two coils.
7 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical terminals of the at least two coils are led out from the damper tube.
8 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein the first coil of the at least two coils is configured to set dampening of a traction stage of the shock absorber.
9 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 wherein the second coil of the at least two coils is configured to set dampening of a compression stage of the shock absorber.
10 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , further comprising a third coil, wherein the third coil is configured to remain non-energized and to be used for energy recovery.
11 . The shock absorber according to claim 1 , further comprising a third coil, wherein the third coil is configured for fine tuning the dampening behavior of the shock absorber.
12 . A method for operating a shock absorber of a motor vehicle, the shock absorber including a cylindrical damper tube and a damper rod that can move linearly inside the damper tube, wherein the damper tube includes at least two coils and the damper rod includes at least one permanent magnet, the method comprising:
regulating a dampening characteristic of the shock absorber by conducting electric currents of different current strength simultaneously through individual coils of the at least two coils; and
using kinetic energy of the damper rod to generate electrical energy; and
taking the energy out from the at least two coils.
13 . The method according to claim 12 wherein a first individual coil of the at least two coils is configured to set dampening of a traction stage of the shock absorber and a second individual coil of the at least two coils is configured to set dampening of a compression stage of the shock absorber.