Active Axle Damping Control with Isolated Multi-PCB Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping systems for active vehicle chassis require individual control devices for each damping system, leading to complexity and potential reliability issues in actuating electric motors for hydraulic pumps.
Innovation Solution
A common control device with distributed electronic assemblies on multiple printed circuit boards, featuring galvanic isolation between low-voltage and high-voltage ranges, allows reliable actuation of electric motors for both damping systems with a simple and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual control devices are used for each damping system, then each damping system can be controlled independently, but the overall system complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual control devices into a single common control device that controls both damping systems. This merging reduces the total number of control devices from two to one, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to independently control each damping system through separate control circuits within the unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The common control device is designed with multi-functional capabilities to control both damping systems simultaneously. It includes multiple control circuits that can independently actuate the electric motors of both damping systems, allowing one control device to perform the functions previously requiring two separate devices, thereby reducing complexity while preserving independent control functionality.
2Device complexity
If a common control device is used for both damping systems, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage isolation and electrical safety become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The common control device is segmented into distinct low-voltage and high-voltage ranges with separate control circuits for each damping system. This segmentation allows the device to handle different voltage levels independently, isolating potential electrical interference and safety risks to specific segments while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isolating assemblies as intermediaries between the low-voltage and high-voltage ranges within the common control device. These isolating assemblies act as mediators that prevent direct electrical connection between different voltage levels, thereby eliminating galvanic interference and safety hazards while allowing the common control device to efficiently control both damping systems.
3Reliability
If electronic assemblies are distributed on multiple printed circuit boards, then reliability and isolation are improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is implemented with electronic assemblies distributed across multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) rather than consolidating all components on a single board. This segmentation improves reliability by isolating potential failure points and facilitating easier troubleshooting and replacement of individual boards, while the modular PCB architecture actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to managing a single large complex board.
Data Source
AI summary
Damping arrangement for an axle of an active chassis of a motor vehicle. A damping system interacts with each wheel of the axle. Each of the damping systems includes the following assemblies: a damper including a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and a piston, a hydraulic pump and an electric motor for driving same, and a hydraulic unit which includes a hydraulic reservoir and valves. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic unit of the respective damping system interact with hydraulic chambers of the hydraulic cylinder in such a manner that a movement of the piston in a first or in a second operating direction can be provided depending on the delivery direction of the hydraulic pump. The electric motors of both damping systems are connected to a common control device and can be actuated thereby, wherein the common control device has electronic assemblies which are distributed on different printed circuit boards.