Active Suspension Zero-Point Control for Lower Actuator Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems with active suspensions continue to consume unnecessary energy when an occupant is seated, as the zero point is set without considering the presence of the occupant, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that includes a carrier member, active suspension, state detection device, controller, and traveling detection device, which dynamically adjusts the zero point based on traveling information and state information to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the zero point is set in a state with no occupant on the seat, then the control system can maintain the seat position at the zero point, but the control current continues to be supplied to counteract downward movement due to occupant mass, leading to unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The zero point is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller dynamically updates the zero point based on detected occupant presence and vehicle state (traveling vs. stopped). When an occupant is detected and the vehicle is stopped, the zero point is updated to the current seat position, eliminating the need for continuous energy consumption to maintain position against static occupant weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The control parameter (zero point position) is changed based on operating conditions. The system transitions between different zero point values depending on whether the vehicle is moving or stopped and whether an occupant is present. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining control accuracy for each specific operating state.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the zero point is dynamically changed based on traveling information and state information, then unnecessary energy consumption is suppressed, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions: it performs active suspension control, detects occupant presence, processes traveling information, and dynamically adjusts the zero point. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing sensors and control infrastructure to achieve energy savings. The traveling detection device and state detection device already provide data for active suspension control; the patent repurposes this existing information to dynamically adjust the zero point, eliminating the need for entirely new sensing or control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes an active suspension having an actuator disposed between a carrier member and a vehicle body, a state detection device that detects state information that is information about a current or future acceleration applied to the carrier member, a controller that supplies a control current to the actuator such that, when the up-down direction position of the carrier member is not a preset zero point, the up-down direction position of the carrier member becomes a zero point, and a traveling detection device that detects traveling information that is information about travel of the vehicle, and the controller executes a zero point change processing of changing the zero point based on the traveling information and the state information.