A method and algorithm for semi-active suspension damper control is
described. The algorithm controls the damper setting to limit vehicle
body movement in terms of body modal velocities of heave, roll and pitch.
The main input, body movement, is measured with accelerometers. The
control output comprises a request in percent of damper control range.
Vehicle speed-dependent minimum and maximum limits are applied. The
method includes monitoring vehicle speed and a modal sensing system. A
common damping rate for the dampers is determined based upon parameters
for speed, heave, pitch, and roll. Each damper is controlled based upon
the common damping rate adjusted based upon a location of each of the
controllable suspension dampers. The output comprises a single signal,
translated to a front and rear setting. The purpose is to always have a
balanced setting of the four dampers.