Energy Regeneration Device for Suspension System

• US 20100052475A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Lee, Un Koo
• Granted Patent: US 8,030,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/319
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/14 having helical, spiral or coil springs only B60G11/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/142 with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/13 comprising inserts and spacers between the windings for changing the mechanical or physical characteristics of the spring F16F1/122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/0283 piezoelectric; electro- or magnetostrictive
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01

Abstract

An energy regeneration device for a suspension system may include a transforming body configured to be compressed or elongated by a chassis spring of the suspension system, and at least an electric generating member that are electrically connected each other and configured to be compressed or elongated with the transforming body.

Claims

1. An energy regeneration device for a suspension system, comprising:

a transforming body configured to be compressed or elongated by a chassis spring of the suspension system; and

at least an electric generating member that are electrically connected each other and configured to be compressed or elongated with the transforming body.

2. The energy regeneration device of claim 1, wherein the transforming body is disposed between coils of the chassis spring of the suspension system.

3. The energy regeneration device of claim 2, wherein the electric generating members are aligned between adjacent pitches of the coils so that the electric generating members are compressed or elongated by relative movements of the coils.

4. The energy regeneration device of claim 2, wherein the transforming body is formed by an elastic material that has electrical insulating properties.

5. The energy regeneration device of claim 4, wherein receiving grooves are formed on upper and lower sides of the transforming body in order to receive the coils of the chassis spring therein and support the chassis spring.

6. The energy regeneration device of claim 1, wherein receiving grooves are formed on upper and lower sides of the transforming body in order to support the chassis spring.

7. The energy regeneration device of claim 1, wherein an electric wire is disposed in the transforming body for electrically connecting the electric generating members, and a connector is disposed to the transforming body for electrically connecting the electric wire.

8. The energy regeneration device of claim 7, further comprising a rectifier that is electrically connected with the electric generating members through the connector and rectifies an electric current made by the electric generating members.

9. The energy regeneration device of claim 8, further comprising a battery that is electrically connected with the rectifier and stores electrical energy.

10. The energy regeneration device of claim 1, wherein the electric generating member is a piezoelectric element.

11. A passenger vehicle comprising the energy regeneration device of claim 1.