Future Ford Vehicles Could Get On-Demand Full Damper Adjustment

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an on-demand full damper adjustment system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on July 30^th, 2024, published on November 21^st, 2024, and assigned serial number 0383299.

The Ford Authority Take

Though we’ve gained the ability to adjust things like suspension settings in a far easier manner – with the push of a button or turn of a dial – in recent years, Ford continues to explore ways to give us even more control over such things in the future. This much is evident from a few recent patent filings outlining ideas for a selective drive mode enablement system, as well as an adjustable suspension and exhaust system designed to accommodate passengers. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going by presenting us with an idea for an on-demand full damper adjustment system that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

These days, damping in certain vehicles can be adjusted in various ways, whether that be via controls inside the cabin or by making adjustments to things like shocks themselves, but as Ford notes in this patent filing, there are times when it might be helpful for a user to maximize damping resistance instantaneously. Thus, it proposes giving us precisely that via this suspension control system, which would utilize a controller placed on each adjustable damper, which would be controlled by the user via the steering wheel paddles inside the cabin in this case.

To activate maximum damping force at once, the user would simply pull both paddles at the same time, making it rather quick and easy to implement. Increasing damping force in a vehicle slows down the compression and rebound of the suspension system, which can tighten up handling and reduce body roll, yet also result in a stiffer ride. This is precisely why having the ability to switch maximum damping force on and off easily may very well appeal to those that like to participate in sporty driving from time to time, but obviously, not all the time.