Active Suspension Actuator Decoupling Lateral Wheel Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active vehicle suspension systems face challenges in effectively decoupling lateral motions such as fore-aft and side-side movements from the wheel, leading to increased bending loads and reduced efficiency in force transmission, particularly when integrated with steering linkages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a linear electromagnetic actuator with a stator rigidly attached to the vehicle frame and an armature movable relative to the stator, coupled with a control rod that mechanically decouples the active suspension element from lateral wheel motions, and optionally combined with a passive suspension element, to manage bending loads and enhance packaging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the active suspension element is rigidly coupled to the wheel assembly through suspension linkage, then the force transmission is direct, but lateral motions (fore-aft and side-side) are not effectively decoupled, causing increased bending loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the active suspension element from direct coupling with the wheel assembly by introducing a control rod as an intermediary. The actuator is rigidly mounted to the chassis while the control rod connects the armature to the wheel, creating distinct functional segments that allow force transmission while decoupling lateral motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control rod serves as a mechanical intermediary between the active suspension element and the wheel assembly. It transmits vertical forces from the actuator to the wheel while allowing lateral motions to occur without directly loading the actuator, thereby reducing bending loads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the active suspension element is mechanically coupled to suspension linkage and steering linkage, then integration is achieved, but lateral motions are transmitted to the actuator, increasing complexity and reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active suspension element from the traditional suspension linkage and steering linkage couplings. By mounting the actuator rigidly to the chassis and using a separate control rod, it removes the problematic mechanical couplings while maintaining the necessary functional integrations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of coupling the actuator to the moving wheel assembly through linkages, the invention inverts the approach by rigidly mounting the actuator to the stationary chassis and using a control rod to connect to the wheel. This reversal eliminates lateral motion transmission while maintaining control capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuator envelope is allowed to change with wheel motion, then packaging flexibility is improved, but system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is pre-positioned in a fixed location on the chassis with a predetermined envelope. The control rod is designed with appropriate length and attachment points to accommodate wheel motion while the actuator itself remains stationary, eliminating the need for the actuator envelope to change with wheel motion.
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
This configuration significantly reduces the flexing mass during lateral excitations, improves force transmission efficiency, and simplifies packaging by maintaining a fixed envelope actuator design, thereby enhancing the overall performance and stability of the active suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
a linear electromagnetic actuator having a stator and an armature that is movable relative to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
An active suspension system for a vehicle includes an active suspension element that is substantially rigidly attached to a frame of the vehicle such that a motion of an armature of the active suspension element is mechanically decoupled from a lateral motion of a wheel of the vehicle. A control rod is attached between the active suspension element and the wheel of the vehicle.