Active Damper Force Sensing for Vehicle Characteristic Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many motor vehicles lack the capability to ascertain and display various important vehicle characteristic variables, such as spring characteristic curves and natural frequencies, which are crucial for vehicle operation and safety, but cannot be easily measured or influenced.
Innovation Solution
A method using active dampers in motor vehicles to apply predefined adjusting forces, allowing for the detection of vehicle characteristic variables through small, imperceptible body movements, which are then measured by integrated sensors, and the results can be output to the driver or used for vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active dampers are used to apply adjusting forces for measuring vehicle characteristic variables, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active dampers are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide active suspension adjustment for comfort and stability, and simultaneously serve as measurement actuators for determining vehicle characteristic variables such as spring curves, friction characteristics, and center of gravity position. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by utilizing existing components for dual purposes rather than adding separate measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper system uses its own integrated sensors and actuators to perform self-diagnosis and self-characterization. The sensors already present in the active damper system are utilized to measure forces and positions during controlled test sequences, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If body movements are performed for measurement purposes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement procedure applies adjusting forces that are sufficient to generate measurable body movements for accurate characterization, but these movements are kept within thresholds that remain imperceptible to the driver. The system performs the necessary action to achieve measurement goals while limiting the intensity to avoid harmful perceptibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement is conducted as a periodic test sequence during specific operating conditions (e.g., when the vehicle is stationary or during predefined route sections). The dampers apply adjusting forces in controlled cycles to excite the vehicle body for measurement, then return to normal operation, thereby achieving measurement accuracy without continuous disturbance to driver comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If measurement is performed during vehicle operation, then measurement applicability is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of operating conditions before initiating measurement sequences. Safety criteria such as vehicle speed thresholds, road condition assessments, and driver consent verification are evaluated in advance. Only when all safety conditions are met does the system proceed with the measurement, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system continuously monitors operating conditions and driver inputs, providing feedback to control whether measurement sequences should be executed. The system can be activated by driver request or deactivated by driver objection, and automatically stops when safety conditions are no longer met. This feedback mechanism ensures safety while allowing flexible measurement opportunities during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining vehicle characteristic variables of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has active dampers which can set adjusting forces at the respective wheel suspensions in order to be able to raise and/or lower the body of the motor vehicle and which can also measure the acting forces. Specific predefined adjusting forces of the active dampers are imparted in order to ascertain vehicle characteristic variables from the resulting adjustment and the resulting measured forces.