world's first fully regenerative active suspension system by ZF

world’s first fully active regenerative automotive suspension by ZF
image © ZF friedrichshafen AG

ZF friedrichshafen AG, the same company that supplies ferrari dampers for their formula one race car has partnered with levant power corporation to build the world’s first fully active suspension system with energy recovery function. the ‘genshock’ technology is an active system for passenger cars which combines dynamics, safety, and comfort characteristics with minimum energy consumption

the compact unit is composed of its own control system, an electric motor, and an electro-hydraulic gear pump, driven by an electronically controlled motor. fitted to the outside of the ZF damper, the unit forms the technological basis of the active, regenerative component. the innovative valve mechanism automatically uses the swaying motion of the damper piston to recover energy, guiding the oil in the damper in such a way that it drives the electric pump motor. this functions like a generator: it converts the kinetic energy generated into electricity and feeds it into the vehicle power supply.

‘genshock’ does not require a unique damper assembly to enable active control

smart controls allow the system to extract power from the motion of dampers during ‘semi-active’ operation