913 results about "Active suspension" patented technology

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

A self-driving vehicle with an integrated fully-active suspension system. The fully-active suspension utilizes data from one or more sensors used for autonomous driving (e.g. vision, LIDAR, GPS) in order to anticipate road conditions in advance. The system builds a topographical map of the road surface. Suspension and road data is delivered back to the vehicle in order to change autonomous driving behavior including route planning. Energy storage is regulated based on a planned route. Forward and lateral acceleration feel is mitigated through active pitch and tilt compensation. The fully-active suspension pushes and pulls the suspension in three or more operational quadrants in order to deliver superior ride comfort, handling, and / safety of the vehicle.

A self-driving vehicle with an integrated fully-active suspension system. The fully-active suspension utilizes data from one or more sensors used for autonomous driving (e.g. vision, LIDAR, GPS) in order to anticipate road conditions in advance. The system builds a topographical map of the road surface. Suspension and road data is delivered back to the vehicle in order to change autonomous driving behavior including route planning. Energy storage is regulated based on a planned route. Forward and lateral acceleration feel is mitigated through active pitch and tilt compensation. The fully-active suspension pushes and pulls the suspension in three or more operational quadrants in order to deliver superior ride comfort, handling, and / safety of the vehicle.

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

A method for controlling an active suspension includes steps of determining a dimension of a road abnormality ahead of the vehicle and comparing the dimension with a vehicle dimension. Responsive to the comparison, the abnormality is classified as one type of a plurality of predetermined types. Responsive to a height dimension of the abnormality, the abnormality is further classified as having one of a small, medium, or large severity. The suspension is controlled responsive to the type and severity.

The invention relates to an optimal damping control algorithm of a continuous-control-type semi-active suspension system, and the optimal damping control algorithm is researched and developed for meeting the taking comfort of people and automobile driving safety requirements well. The control algorithm comprises the following steps of: measuring automobile body vibration acceleration signals, automobile speed signals and rotation angle signals by utilizing a sensor; sensing the automobile driving road condition and suspension system damping ratio according to the signals measured by the sensor; according to the measured automobile body and automobile wheel vibration acceleration, obtaining the automobile body and automobile wheel vertical motion speed and the relative motion speed between an automobile body and automobile wheels; determining the optimal damping coefficient and the damping force of a shock absorber required under the current automobile speed and road condition according to automobile parameters, outputting stepping motor rotation angle control signals through a controller, and controlling and regulating the area of the damping throttling hole of a controllable shock absorber, so that the semi-active suspension system achieves the required optimal damping and damping force. The semi-active suspension optimal damping control algorithm provided by the invention is simple and easy to implement, has low requirements for the dynamic property of an actuating element, and is beneficial to the applications and popularization of the semi-active suspension.

A collision mitigation system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of headlight mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to characterize the road surface, identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.

A method and algorithm for semi-active suspension damper control is described. The algorithm controls the damper setting to limit vehicle body movement in terms of body modal velocities of heave, roll and pitch. The main input, body movement, is measured with accelerometers. The control output comprises a request in percent of damper control range. Vehicle speed-dependent minimum and maximum limits are applied. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed and a modal sensing system. A common damping rate for the dampers is determined based upon parameters for speed, heave, pitch, and roll. Each damper is controlled based upon the common damping rate adjusted based upon a location of each of the controllable suspension dampers. The output comprises a single signal, translated to a front and rear setting. The purpose is to always have a balanced setting of the four dampers.

A strut (12) is configured for an active suspension system (142) which provides electronic control for both the force applied by the strut (12) and the dampening characteristics of the strut (12). A compressible fluid (18) is used within the strut (12), and preferably includes a compressible base fluid and electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) which are suspended in the compressible base fluid. The electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) are preferably closely matched in density and modulas of elasticity to that of the compressible base fluid to prevent sedimentation of the particles (132) and to maintain the elasticity of the compressible fluid (18). The amount compressible fluid (18) within the strut (12) is electronically controlled to determine the force applied by the strut (12) and a field strength applied to the compressible fluid in a fluid flow passage is electronically controlled to determine the dampening characteristics of the strut (12).

An active suspension for a driver seat of a bus or a heavy vehicle which comprises an electric actuator allowing the exertion of the force between the floor of the vehicle and the bottom of the seat. The adjustment of the height of the seat is accomplished by an electric actuator or by an independent mechanical system. A controller generates a control force calculated from measurements obtained by sensors located at different locations on the suspension. Forces exerted by the electric actuator can be relieved by passive element placed in parallel which cannot assume by themselves the role of a suspension for a given application.

A strut (12) is configured for an active suspension system (142) which provides electronic control for both the force applied by the strut (12) and the dampening characteristics of the strut (12). A compressible fluid (18) is used within the strut (12), and preferably includes a compressible base fluid and electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) which are suspended in the compressible base fluid. The electromagnetic field responsive particles (132) are preferably closely matched in density and modulas of elasticity to that of the compressible base fluid to prevent sedimentation of the particles (132) and to maintain the elasticity of the compressible fluid (18). The amount compressible fluid (18) within the strut (12) is electronically controlled to determine the force applied by the strut (12) and a field strength applied to the compressible fluid in a fluid flow passage is electronically controlled to determine the dampening characteristics of the strut (12).

A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

An active suspension with electric motor actuator and electromagnetic energy accumulating action features use of motor drive system instead of hydraulic driven system. The coded signals obtained by dynamic flexure sensor for suspension and the pulse signals obtained by rotor position sensor for motor are output to microprocessor. After they are processed, the electric motor actuator is real-time controlled for electric, reverse, or regenerative braking, so damping the shock and vibration caused by uneven road surface and recovering the braking energy.

An active suspension system senses roadway defects and adjusts an active and controllable suspension system of the vehicle before tires come in contact with the defect. The active suspension system identifies a type of defect or debris, e.g., pothole, bump, object, etc., along with the size, width, depth, and / or height information of the defect to more accurately control operation of the suspension system to prepare for, or avoid contact with the roadway defects and obstacles. Imaging techniques are employed to identify the defect or debris. Operation of a serviced cruise control system is controlled to enhance passenger safety and comfort.

The invention discloses a real-time control device and a real-time control method for a motion direction of an electromagnetic energy-regeneration semi-active suspension of a vehicle. A bi-directional controllable double ratchet mechanism composed of a first ratchet mechanism and a second ratchet mechanism which are jointly arranged on an input shaft of an energy-regeneration motor rotor is arranged between an energy-regeneration motor and a nut-ball screw mechanism. The first ratchet mechanism and the second ratchet mechanism respectively comprise a ratchet, a pawl, a pawl rotating shaft, a tensioning spring and an electromagnet. The electromagnets are electrically connected with a control unit, and the rotating directions of the two ratchets combined with the pawls are opposite. When the control unit inputs control signals to a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet of the first ratchet mechanism and the second ratchet mechanism, the input shaft of the energy-regeneration motor rotor can only rotate anticlockwise or clockwise, and the suspension can only be stretched or compressed. When the control unit does not input control signals to the first electromagnet or the second electromagnet, the suspension can only be stretched and compressed. When the vehicle is subjected to a large inertial force, by real-time control of the motion direction of the related suspension, pitching and side tipping of the vehicle are reduced, and the running safety of the vehicle is improved.

The present invention provides regenerative passive and semi-active suspension systems. A regenerative suspension system generally includes at least one regenerative damper, a module, an electric switch, and a battery. The at least one regenerative damper converts mechanical vibration energy within a vehicle into a voltage, which the damper passes to the module. The module measures the voltage from the regenerative damper, and in response, changes electric switch settings for each regenerative damper between an open circuit, a closed circuit completed by a power resistance, and a closed circuit completed by circuitry for charging a battery. Additionally, the module sets electric switch levels to adjust the damping forces within each regenerative damper.

The present invention relates to a semi-active damper controlled by a control circuit including a direct control loop made up of an inverse model of the damper. The inverse model of the damper determines an ideal value for an electrical current ith for controlling a compression controlled-restriction valve and an expansion controlled-restriction valve on the basis of a measured value for a relative speed +E,dot y+EE between the two ends of the damper and on the basis of a force reference value Fc. The semi-active damper of the invention is applicable as a transverse secondary suspension for a passenger rail vehicle.

The invention relates to a switch type semi-active suspension system, which comprises four sets of switch type semi-active vibration absorbers, two acceleration sensors and a detection control system, wherein each two sets of the switch type semi-active vibration absorbers are arranged diagonally and act between a car body and a bogie; each set of switch type semi-active vibration absorbers respectively comprise a vibration absorber body A, high-speed switch valves A1 and A2, an adjustable damper valve A4 and a pressure sensor, wherein the high-speed switch valve A1 is used for communicating a rodless cavity with an oil storage cavity of the vibration absorber body; a check valve A3 is arranged between the oil storage cavity and the rodless cavity; the high-speed switch valve A2 is used for communicating the rodless cavity with a rod cavity; the adjustable damper valve A4 is arranged between the rod cavity and the oil storage cavity; and the pressure sensor is used for detecting the pressure of an oil way led out of the rod cavity of the vibration absorber body; and output signals of the acceleration sensor and the pressure sensor are transmitted to a controller after being processed, and the high-speed switch valves A1 and A2 are controlled by the controller to act.

A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include an object information device. An active suspension or an active steering system may be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The rollover system may include a lateral support system. A controller determines that an obstacle is an imminent tripping obstacle and raises or steers the wheel, to prevent the wheel from colliding with the obstacle, or deploys the lateral support system in response to a rollover notification signal and the determination. A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include a chassis and a driving surface wheel. A wheel assembly is coupled to the chassis inward from the driving surface wheel relative to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The wheel assembly contacts the driving surface when a roll angle of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined level.

The transportation system in this invention provides vehicle coupling units which allow the electrical connections and reconfigurations of two or more vehicles together at highway speeds. The coupling unit provides for the bidirectional exchange of electrical power between these vehicles to meet the various power demands of each vehicle. The system is designed to permit coupling and decoupling process of the vehicles while they are traveling at highway speeds. To facilitate the coupling event, each vehicle will employ vehicle active steering, vehicle active suspension, and coupler joint articulation, which will be under vehicle computer control, and will employ vehicle to vehicle data communication. This transportation system allows the electric vehicles to electrically and mechanically couple together for flexible electrical power sharing to achieve the extension of the range of electrically powered vehicles to minimize the time needed for stationary re-charging of electrical vehicles required by electrical charging stations.

A suspension device (S) as a solution for the problem of the present invention includes: an active suspension unit (U) equipped with a linear actuator (A) and a first fluid pressure damper (D1) connected to the actuator (A) to extend and retract in the same direction; and a second fluid pressure damper (D2) arranged in parallel with the active suspension unit (U).

The invention relates to a vehicle active suspension system. There is a need for an active suspension system which can alert an operator to certain conditions. The suspension system includes an actuator for moving a second vehicle part relative to a first vehicle part. The suspension system also includes sensors and a control unit. A vehicle operator is located in or on the second part. The sensors sense vehicle parameters and transmit parameter signals to the control unit. In response to the parameter sensors, the control unit causes the actuator to move the second part in such a manner that the movement alerts the operator to the existence of a condition, such as a critical or non-optimal operating state of the utility vehicle or of an implement coupled to the vehicle.

The invention discloses an automotive energy-regenerative active suspension system with rigidity and damping variable. The suspension system comprises a suspension variable-rigidity mechanism, a suspension energy-regenerative mechanism and an active suspension control system. The suspension variable-rigidity mechanism comprises a low-rigidity spring, a magneto-rheological damper and a high-rigidity spring. The suspension energy-regenerative mechanism is formed by bi-directionally connecting a linear motor, an energy-regenerative circuit and a storage battery in sequence. The active suspension control system includes a controller. The data input end of the controller is connected with a vibration measuring and processing circuit. The magneto-rheological damper and the control input end of the linear motor are respectively connected with the control output end of the controller. The suspension system can automatically adjust the damping and rigidity at the same time, so that the good steering stability and ride comfort of a finished automobile are achieved; the control system is high in response speed; energy consumption is substantially lowered, and therefore the economy requirement of the finished automobile is met; moreover, the structure and a control algorithm are simple, working is stable and reliable, service life is long, and the suspension system can be conveniently applied to an existing automotive suspension so that real-time control can be achieved.

A 6-wheel symmetrical active suspension structure for the moon exploration car is composed of car body, car body balancing mechanism in the car body, and two suspension sets pivoted to both sides of said car body and to said balancing mechanism. Its 6 wheels are individually driven and can be drawn in car body. Its front 2 wheels and back two wheels can be individual steered. It can move up or down the slope and leap over obstacle or ditch.

In a method and an apparatus for affecting the cornering performance of a motor vehicle, a transverse acceleration of the motor vehicle is determined, a desired transverse tilt of the motor vehicle defined based on the determined transverse acceleration, at least one actuator of an active suspension system of the motor vehicle is adjusted so that the motor vehicle assumes the desired transverse tilt, and an additional actuator intervening in the steering system of the motor vehicle. A yaw movement of the motor vehicle caused by the adjustment of the at least one actuator of the active suspension system is at least partially compensated by the additional actuator.

A method for reducing power consumption in an active suspension system through the selective use of high performance, associated with high power demand, only in situations instantaneously deemed to provide a high ratio of benefit to cost. Input events are classified ahead of time, and are identified during operation of the system, ahead of time if possible through the use of look-ahead sensing or statistical analysis, or at the beginning of the event through the use of motion sensing. Once an event is detected, an estimation of the cost and benefits for an intervention of the active suspension system is made, and the intervention is scaled in a way to provide a good compromise. Relying on the nonlinearity of the cost and benefit expressions, this leads to overall reduced power consumption with small loss in perceived benefit.