Active Valve Suspension Tuning for Terrain-Adaptive Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle suspension systems face challenges in dynamically adjusting suspension characteristics without adversely affecting other aspects of damper operation, often moving beyond manufacturer-recommended ranges and causing issues like rim and frame flex or damper damage.
Innovation Solution
An active valve system with sensors and a controller that adjusts suspension characteristics based on terrain conditions, using solenoids to change damping settings in real-time, allowing customizable tunes and immediate adaptation to different riding conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suspension characteristics are adjusted to be harder for smooth terrain performance, then vehicle performance is improved, but rim and frame flex/damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic suspension adjustment through active valves that automatically modify damping characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions. The system transitions from static to dynamic suspension behavior, allowing the suspension to be hard when needed for performance while automatically softening to prevent damage when encountering obstacles or poor terrain conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor terrain conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the suspension to automatically adjust its characteristics based on real-time terrain information, preventing the rider from manually adjusting to harmful extremes while maintaining optimal performance.
2Ease of operation
If suspension characteristics are adjusted to be softer for comfort, then ride comfort is improved, but damper bottom out and seal damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The active valve system dynamically adjusts damping forces based on real-time terrain feedback, providing soft suspension characteristics when comfort is needed while automatically increasing damping forces when approaching bottom-out conditions, thereby protecting seals and damper components from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors monitor suspension travel and terrain conditions, providing feedback that triggers automatic damping adjustments. When the system detects conditions that could lead to bottoming out, it increases damping forces to prevent excessive compression, protecting the damper seals while maintaining comfort within safe operating ranges.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual suspension adjustment is allowed, then rider preference is satisfied, but suspension characteristics move beyond manufacturer recommended ranges causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual rider adjustment with an automated self-adjusting mechanism that uses sensors and active valves to automatically optimize suspension characteristics. This eliminates the need for riders to manually adjust suspension beyond recommended ranges while still providing adaptability to different riding conditions and preferences through automated control.
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
Enables on-the-fly suspension adjustments that enhance vehicle performance and comfort by optimizing damping settings according to terrain, preventing damage and maintaining optimal operation.
Implementation Method 1
using solenoids to change damping settings in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for utilizing an active valve customizable tune application is disclosed. The system includes a mobile device having a memory, an active valve tune application, and at least one processor. The processor initiates the active valve tune application, receives, from a database, an active valve suspension tune having a number of performance range adjustable settings, and receives user related input information. At least one of the performance range adjustable settings is modified based on the received input information to generate a modified active valve suspension tune. The system includes an active suspension of a vehicle, wherein the modified active valve suspension tune is implemented by the active suspension.