Active Sway Bar Damping Link for Variable Roll Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sway bar systems lack the ability to remotely control the stiffness, which limits their adaptability to different driving conditions such as cornering, rough terrain, and varying speeds.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronically controlled sway bar system that utilizes remotely adjustable active valves to control the damping characteristics of the sway bar, allowing for real-time adjustments to the stiffness based on input from sensors and user settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sway bar systems are used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the stiffness cannot be remotely controlled or adjusted for different driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sway bar system transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness design to a dynamic, adjustable-stiffness system through the integration of electronically controlled dampers. These dampers can remotely adjust damping forces in real-time based on driving conditions, allowing the system to adapt between sport and comfort modes without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical sway bar linkages with an electronically controlled system that uses sensors, controllers, and electronically adjustable dampers. This substitution enables remote electronic control of stiffness characteristics, transforming a mechanically fixed system into one that can be dynamically adjusted through electronic signals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manually adjusted sway bar systems are used, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The sway bar system performs self-adjustment of stiffness characteristics through integrated sensors and electronic controllers that automatically detect driving conditions and modify damper settings accordingly. The system serves itself by transitioning between sport and comfort modes without requiring driver intervention, combining adaptability with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor driving conditions and provide feedback to electronic controllers, which then automatically adjust the damper settings. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions in real-time while maintaining ease of operation, as the adjustments occur automatically based on sensor input.
3Reliability
If fixed stiffness sway bar is used, then the device complexity is low, but the handling performance varies poorly across different driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the ability to change key parameters of the sway bar system, specifically the damping coefficients, through electronically controlled dampers. This allows the system to maintain reliable handling performance across diverse driving conditions by adjusting stiffness parameters in real-time, transitioning between sport and comfort modes as needed.
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 solution enables the sway bar system to dynamically adjust its stiffness, enhancing handling and comfort across various driving conditions, from high-speed cornering to rough terrain, without the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
control the damping characteristics of the sway bar
Implementation Method 2
remotely adjustable active valves to control the damping characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A sway bar system includes a sway bar having a first end and a second end. The sway bar system further includes a first electronically controlled damper link which is coupled to the first end of the sway bar. The first electronically controlled damper link is coupled a first location of a vehicle. The sway bar system also has a second link which is coupled to the second end of the sway bar. The second link is coupled a second location of the vehicle.