Active Suspension CG Estimation for Adaptive Ride Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The uncertainty in vehicle mass and center of gravity (CG) location due to varying loading conditions compromises vehicle handling and ride quality, leading to the need for compromises in suspension design that are not optimal for all loading scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method for estimating the location of the CG of a sprung mass in a vehicle using a system of sensors and control modules that determine and update the x, y, and z coordinates of the CG, allowing for adaptive suspension control responsive to real-time vehicle and road conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lower suspension spring rate is used to enhance ride quality for unloaded vehicles, then ride quality is improved, but suspension travel is insufficient for heavily loaded vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active suspension control that dynamically adjusts suspension parameters (spring rate, damping coefficients) in real-time based on detected vehicle mass and center of gravity position. This allows the suspension to adapt to different loading conditions, providing optimal ride quality for unloaded vehicles while maintaining adequate travel capacity for heavily loaded vehicles, thereby resolving the contradiction between ride quality and suspension travel availability across different load scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating a location of a center of gravity (CG) of a sprung mass of a vehicle includes steps of a) determining whether the vehicle is stationary or moving; b) if the vehicle is stationary, calculating estimated x and y coordinates of the CG; c) storing the estimated coordinates in memory; and d) repeating steps a)-c) until the vehicle is no longer stationary.