Dynamic properties of automotive damper modules

This paper addresses the dynamic properties of automotive shock absorber modules. Analyzing an equivalent linear system, a set of characteristic dimensionless numbers are introduced in order to qualify the dynamic performance of the damper and the damper module. The dependency of these numbers on the main parameters of the module like the damping constant, the spring stiffness of the damper, the top mount stiffness and the piston rod mass is shown. These numbers may also serve as similarity coefficients for quite different dampers regarding their dynamic behavior. Furthermore, they can be used to adjust the stiffness of the different force elements of the damper module to achieve an optimal damping quality.