Active Suspension On-Demand Energy Delivery for Wheel Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active suspension systems face limitations in power efficiency, architecture, size, and compatibility, requiring improvements in energy delivery and control mechanisms to effectively manage wheel events and enhance vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an on-demand energy delivery method for active suspension systems, incorporating an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, sensors, and a controller, which detects wheel events and sources energy from an energy storage facility to deliver it to the electric motor at a rate of 1 Hertz or faster, enabling dynamic torque or speed adjustments to manage suspension forces without continuous energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous energy delivery is used to maintain suspension readiness, then suspension response capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses on-demand energy delivery triggered by wheel events rather than continuous energy supply. The controller detects wheel events through sensors and activates the electric motor and hydraulic pump only when suspension adjustment is needed, converting continuous operation into periodic, event-driven operation that maintains response capability while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates an energy storage facility that captures and stores energy during regenerative braking or engine operation, then uses this stored energy to power the active suspension system. This self-service approach allows the suspension to operate independently of the main vehicle electrical system during normal operation, reducing continuous power draw from the vehicle's primary power source.
2Reliability
If active suspension control is implemented for all wheel events, then vehicle comfort and stability are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies active suspension control selectively rather than continuously. The controller evaluates wheel events and determines when active intervention is necessary based on predefined thresholds and conditions. This partial action approach provides sufficient comfort and stability for significant disturbances while avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure on minor road irregularities that would be adequately handled by passive suspension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts suspension parameters such as damping coefficients and spring rates based on real-time vehicle conditions, road surface characteristics, and wheel event severity. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than maintaining fixed active control, the system optimizes the balance between comfort/stability performance and energy consumption for different operating scenarios.
3Speed
If rapid energy delivery (1 Hz or faster) is provided to the electric motor, then suspension control responsiveness is improved, but power delivery system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage facility is pre-charged during periods when suspension control is not actively required, such as during regenerative braking or when the vehicle is operating under light load conditions. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the system to deliver rapid power bursts (1 Hz or faster) when wheel events occur, achieving high responsiveness without requiring the power delivery system to continuously operate at maximum capacity, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 approach enhances suspension performance by consuming energy only when needed, reducing power consumption, and allowing for efficient energy neutral or self-powered operation, thereby improving vehicle comfort and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump, an electric motor
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.