Abstract: Described in certain example embodiments herein is an electrical controller for a damper body assembly that stores a damping policy and instructions implementing a control method based on the policy. In certain embodiments, the controller receives a sensor output and transmits a signal to alter the contribution to a damping coefficient of the damper from each fluid mass as a function of the sensor output, policy, and control method. Described in several exemplary embodiments herein, are methods of using the electrical controller. Also described in several exemplary embodiments herein are damper body assemblies that can be controlled by the electrical controller, an actuation assembly, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a double damper is disclosed that may be used in an automotive suspension system. In one embodiment, a double damper includes a first damper having a first piston rod, a first gas chamber, a first compression chamber, and a first rebound chamber. The double damper further includes a second damper having a second piston rod, a second gas chamber, a second compression chamber, and a second rebound chamber. The first damper and the second damper are connected via a sleeve from which the first piston rod and the second piston rod extend at opposite ends.

Abstract: A road surface condition estimation apparatus which accurately estimates a road surface condition even under changes of external environment such as weather, etc., and a road surface condition estimation method using the same is described. The road surface condition estimation apparatus includes: a sensor module which is mounted on a tire; a receiver module which receives sensing information measured by the sensor module; a processing module which extracts a parameter for estimating a road surface condition by analyzing the sensing information received by the receiver module; and an estimation module which estimates the road surface condition by using the parameter extracted by the processing module. The sensing information includes an acceleration of the tire.

Abstract: A damper body assembly including: a casing forming therein two mechanically-serial damping fluid mass enclosures; a first and a second piston and a second piston, each housed in separate of the enclosures, each piston having an aperture. First and second damping fluid masses separately filling the enclosures. Sensors producing an electrical output relative to the distance between the pistons. An actuation assembly operable, upon receiving control signals, to independently alter the contribution to the damping coefficient of the damper from each fluid mass as a function of the control signals. A controller including: memory storing a damping policy and instructions implementing a control method based on the policy; and a processor to execute the instructions to receive the sensor output, and transmit a signal to alter the contribution to the damping coefficient of the damper from each fluid mass as a function of the sensor output, policy, and control method.