Active Vehicle Suspension for Constant Force on Uneven Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle suspension systems are limited in their ability to provide constant force capability and independent corner control, especially on uneven terrain, which restricts off-road performance and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A fully-active, multiple degree of freedom suspension system with a combination of telescoping drive shafts and active control elements, including linear and rotational actuators, to facilitate near-constant force transfer and increased wheel travel, enabling superior off-road performance and terrain accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional suspension systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to provide constant force capability and independent corner control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into multiple independent control zones with separate actuators for each wheel assembly, allowing independent corner control and constant force capability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs active actuators that dynamically adjust suspension parameters in real-time to maintain constant force capability across varying terrain conditions, transforming a static system into an adaptive one
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional suspension systems are used, then the system is easy to manufacture, but off-road performance and terrain accessibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system performs multiple functions including force control, independent corner control, and terrain adaptation within a single integrated design, maximizing terrain accessibility while consolidating manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested telescoping drive shafts where one shaft is positioned within another, allowing compact packaging of multiple power transmission functions while maintaining ease of assembly and manufacturing
3Force
If telescoping drive shafts and active control elements are added, then near-constant force transfer is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Telescoping drive shafts are nested within each other, with the second shaft positioned inside the first shaft, allowing multiple power transmission functions in a compact configuration that manages complexity through spatial efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple power transmission functions are merged into a single integrated housing structure, consolidating the telescoping shafts and active control elements into one unified assembly that reduces overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension element includes a housing, a first joint, and a second joint. The housing is configured to couple a tractive element assembly to a vehicle. The housing has a first end configured to engage a portion of the vehicle and a second end configured to interface with the tractive element assembly. The first joint includes a first actuator and a first resilient member. The first actuator is configured to facilitate linear extension and retraction of the suspension element. The second joint includes a second actuator and a second resilient member. The second actuator is configured to facilitate rotational movement of the suspension element. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to support a static load of the vehicle.