Active Valve Damper Control for Accurate Gravel Terrain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in accurately determining when to change suspension settings based on terrain type, particularly struggling with gravel roads where acceleration thresholds are exceeded unnecessarily, leading to inappropriate suspension adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system using sensors, such as accelerometers and time-of-flight sensors, to monitor terrain conditions and adjust suspension settings automatically by analyzing power spectral density, acceleration, and Jerk signatures to differentiate between various terrain types and adjust damping characteristics accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If acceleration threshold-based terrain detection is used, then suspension settings can be adjusted automatically, but unnecessary adjustments occur on gravel roads where acceleration thresholds are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terrain detection process into multiple independent analysis components: power spectral density analysis, acceleration analysis, and Jerk analysis. Each component processes specific aspects of the sensor data independently, and their results are combined to make the final terrain classification decision. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate multiple criteria simultaneously, preventing misclassification on gravel roads while maintaining automatic operation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types and analysis methods are used to improve terrain detection accuracy, then unnecessary adjustments are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor inputs (accelerometer, time-of-flight sensors) and multiple analysis methods (power spectral density, acceleration, Jerk analysis) into a unified terrain detection system. The controller integrates all these components to perform comprehensive terrain classification, combining their outputs to make a single coordinated suspension adjustment decision. This merging approach maintains high measurement precision while managing system complexity through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the sensor data processor, the terrain classifier, and the suspension adjustment actuator. It performs multiple functions including power spectral density calculation, acceleration analysis, Jerk analysis, terrain type determination, and valve control signals generation. This universal controller reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high terrain detection accuracy.
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 system effectively determines the need for suspension changes based on terrain, preventing unnecessary adjustments and optimizing ride comfort and performance by accurately identifying terrain types and adjusting damping settings in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
sensors, such as accelerometers and time-of-flight sensors, to monitor terrain conditions
Implementation Method 2
sensors, such as accelerometers and time-of-flight sensors, to monitor terrain conditions
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A system comprising: a sensor data receiver (305) configured to receive sensor data (301) from one or more sensors monitoring a vehicle; a sensor data evaluator (310) configured to: identify a repeating pattern in said sensor data (301), said repeating pattern indicative of a terrain type being traversed by said vehicle; determine a value of said repeating pattern; obtain a present set of operational values for at least one damping characteristic of an active valve damper coupled with said vehicle; and modify said present set of operational values for said at least one damping characteristic of said active valve damper based on said value of said repeating pattern to develop a modified set of operational values for said at least one damping characteristic of said active valve damper.