Screw It or Pump It? BYD Patents Two Paths to Suspension Energy Recovery - CleanTechnica

The article discusses two innovative suspension energy recovery systems recently patented by BYD, highlighting the company's exploration of different methods to capture and reuse energy typically lost in vehicle suspension damping. Traditional shock absorbers convert suspension motion energy into heat through hydraulic fluid resistance, which cannot be reused. BYD’s patents aim to actively recover this energy, potentially improving overall vehicle efficiency or offsetting the energy consumption of advanced suspension control systems. The article explains the basics of suspension function and existing damper technologies, including passive, adaptive, and active suspensions, setting the context for BYD’s new approaches. The first patented design involves a ball screw mechanism where an intermediate fitting with permanent magnets acts as a rotor between the inner shaft and outer housing. This rotor spins as the suspension moves, inducing electricity in a coil to generate power. This design could offer a more compact vertical profile, beneficial for vehicle packaging constraints, though it may be wider than traditional dampers. Mechanically, it integrates the motor/generator within the damper