Active Suspension Control for Ride Handling and Actuator Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in balancing performance and durability, particularly in active systems that are more complex and susceptible to reduced durability in high-demand use cases.
Innovation Solution
A control system that receives vehicle dynamics signals to determine current usage and adjusts actuator control parameters, such as anti-roll torque demand and disturbance characteristics, to optimize performance and durability across various use cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active suspension system is used to improve performance, then ride and handling characteristics are improved, but the system becomes more complex and more susceptible to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts actuator control parameters based on real-time vehicle dynamics signals and determined use cases. The system transitions between different operating modes (e.g., performance-oriented and durability-oriented control) depending on the detected driving scenario, allowing the suspension system to adapt its complexity and performance characteristics dynamically rather than being fixed in a complex active configuration at all times.
2Reliability
If active roll control systems are used to improve performance, then ride and handling characteristics are improved, but durability is reduced in high-demand use cases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system changes actuator control parameters based on the determined use case. In high-demand scenarios, the system adjusts parameters such as anti-roll torque demand and disturbance characteristics to balance performance requirements with durability protection. This allows the actuator to operate at optimal performance levels during normal use while preventing excessive stress and overheating during high-demand use cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system periodically monitors vehicle dynamics signals and re-evaluates the current use case, adjusting control parameters accordingly. This continuous adaptation allows the system to respond to changing driving conditions and protect the actuator from sustained high-stress operation that would lead to overheating and reduced durability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system, a suspension system, a vehicle and a method. A control system comprising one or more controllers is configured to: receive at least one vehicle dynamics signal, wherein the at least one vehicle dynamics signal is indicative of a vehicle dynamics parameter, determine a current dynamic usage of a vehicle in dependence on the received at least one vehicle dynamics signal, determine a control parameter for an actuator of the vehicle in dependence at least in part on the current dynamic usage of the vehicle, and output a control signal to control the actuator in dependence on the control parameter.