ER Suspension System with Energy Generation

This study presents a new type ER suspension with energy generator which does not require external power sources. This is accomplished by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. In order to do this, a semi-active suspension with an appropriate size of the ER damper is manufactured. A mechanical mechanism which changes the linear motion of the ER damper to the rotary motion is then constructed. This rotary motion is amplified by gears and makes a generator produce electrical energy. The efficiency of energy generation is experimentally evaluated and the field-dependent damping force of the ER damper operated by the generated power is also investigated. Subsequently, the ER suspension system is applied to a quarter car model, and its vibration isolation is experimentally evaluated in frequency domain.