An Analysis and Test Results of Damping Characteristics of ER Dampers with Two Different Valve Types

ER 댐퍼의 밸브 형상에 따른 감쇠 특성의 해석 및 실험

Damping characteristics of ER dampers and flow rates inside ER valve with two different valve types were analyzed and compared with test results. Fluid flow inside ER valves was modeled by Bingham plastic model and Hagen-Poiseulli flow, while the equations of motion of total ER damper system were modeled by flow and hydraulic force balance. A general straight valve case was compared with a bended valve case which is newly tested for a possible improvement of ER damping force. As expected, the bended ER valve generates higher damping force and lower flow rates than the conventional straight ER valve due to additional flow restriction at the bended section. Analytical models of ER valve and ER damper generally predict reasonable performance characteristics of tested results. Therefore, developed analysis can be used for designing new ER dampers and simulation of ER semi-active suspension system as well.