Active Chassis Dampening for Cylinder Deactivation NVH

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle chassis dampening systems are passive and unable to effectively address vibrations across a wide range of frequencies, leading to discomfort for drivers and limiting the operational range of engine cylinder deactivation modes, which affects fuel economy.

Innovation Solution

An active dampening system comprising actuators and sensors on the vehicle's frame rails, controlled by a controller to generate vibrational forces that dampen noise/vibration/harshness (NVH), allowing for extended cylinder deactivation mode operation and improved fuel economy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If passive rubber dampeners are used to dampen vibrations, then vibration dampening is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and non-adjustable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampeningVSAvoiddampener weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical rubber dampeners with an active control system using actuators (electromagnetic or electrostatic) and sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy passive dampening elements while providing adjustable, adaptive vibration control through electronic actuation and feedback control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the dampening parameters by adjusting actuator activation patterns, frequency, and intensity based on real-time sensor feedback. This allows the dampening characteristics to be adapted to different operating conditions without physical modification of the dampener structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If passive rubber dampeners are used, then vibration dampening is provided, but the system lacks adjustability for different vibrational frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampeningVSAvoidfrequency adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static passive dampening to dynamic active control. Sensors continuously monitor vibration characteristics and the controller adjusts actuator parameters in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to varying vibrational frequencies and intensities throughout vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors detect frame rail vibrations and the controller uses this information to adjust actuator output. This feedback mechanism enables continuous adaptation to different vibrational conditions, providing optimal dampening across a wide frequency range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If cylinder deactivation mode is used to improve fuel economy, then fuel efficiency increases, but NVH levels increase causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidNVH levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful vibrations and NVH generated during cylinder deactivation mode into controllable parameters. By actively detecting and counteracting these vibrations through the sensor-actuator system, the harmful effects are transformed into manageable signals that can be compensated for, allowing fuel-efficient operation without compromising comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The active dampening system applies counter-vibrations in advance to cancel out the NVH generated by cylinder deactivation. By detecting the characteristic vibrations of deactivation mode and generating opposing forces through actuators, the system prevents harmful NVH from reaching the cabin, enabling extended use of fuel-saving deactivation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The active dampening system effectively reduces NVH, enabling the engine to operate in cylinder deactivation mode over a wider range, enhancing driver comfort and increasing fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each actuator being configured to generate a vibrational force in at least one direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the set of actuators to generate vibrational forces that dampen the vibration of the first and second frame rails

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11001268B2Active vehicle chassis dampening systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A system and method for calibrating and controlling an active dampening system for a chassis of a vehicle having an engine involve operating the engine in a cylinder deactivation mode and, during the cylinder deactivation mode, (i) receiving, from a set of sensors, measured vibrations on first and second frame rails of the chassis, (ii) generating control signals for a set of actuators based on the measured vibration of the first and second frame rails, each actuator being configured to generate a vibrational force in at least one direction, and (iii) outputting, to the set of actuators, the control signals, wherein receipt of the control signals cause the set of actuators to generate vibrational forces that dampen the vibration of the first and second frame rails, respectively, to decrease noise/vibration/harshness (NVH).