Active Suspension Pitch Control for Blind Gradient Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle active suspension systems struggle to effectively manage changes in driving surface gradient, leading to reduced visibility and comfort due to inadequate control of relative ride height between the front and rear of the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A control system that adjusts the active suspension based on detected changes in driving surface gradient to control the relative ride height between the front and rear of the vehicle body, using predictive and reactive methods to maintain a desired pitch angle and rate of change, thereby improving visibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the active suspension controls relative ride height to maintain a standard pitch angle, then the vehicle maintains stability on level ground, but visibility is reduced when approaching gradient changes and comfort deteriorates due to head toss
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary action by detecting gradient changes ahead of time using sensors (accelerometers, GPS, map data) and adjusting the suspension in advance before the vehicle reaches the gradient transition. This allows the vehicle to 'peek over' blind gradients for improved visibility and prepares the suspension to minimize head toss when occupants experience gradient changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining standard pitch control and improving visibility/comfort.
2Speed
If the active suspension adjusts ride height rapidly to correct pitch angle deviations, then the vehicle returns to surface-parallel attitude quickly, but occupant comfort deteriorates due to increased head toss
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies periodic action by adjusting the suspension in a controlled, phased manner rather than immediately correcting all pitch deviations. The system uses predictive control to anticipate gradient changes and applies suspension adjustments at optimal moments, and uses rate control to gradually migrate back towards standard pitch angle after the transition, thereby reducing the rate of change of pitch angle and minimizing occupant head toss while still achieving pitch correction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the active suspension maintains a horizontal horizon pitch angle through gradient transitions, then occupant comfort is improved by reducing head toss, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle pitch angle, gradient changes, and suspension position using sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, ride height sensors) and using this information to dynamically adjust suspension forces. The system uses feedback from multiple sources including inertial measurement units and map data to detect gradient changes ahead, and adjusts suspension control based on the difference between actual and desired pitch angles, thereby maintaining horizontal horizon attitude while managing system complexity through integrated sensor feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: obtain information indicative of a change of gradient of a driving surface in a direction of travel; and control the active suspension to adjust relative ride height between a front and rear of a vehicle body of the vehicle above the driving surface beneath the vehicle in dependence on the change of gradient.