Adaptive Suspension Damper Control for Pre-Impact Force Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems do not adequately protect occupants from spine injuries during high-impact events, as the damping resistance may not be sufficient to absorb the force effectively, leading to potential injuries during accidents or incidents.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement for a vehicle with a damper that can adjust its damping resistance between a first and a second mode, where the second mode provides higher damping resistance, allowing the system to identify impending impact forces and switch to the higher resistance mode before the initial impact, thereby reducing the force transferred to occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the damper operates in the first damping mode (normal/soft mode) during normal driving, then the damping resistance is lower providing comfort for normal conditions, but the damping resistance is insufficient to absorb high-impact forces effectively, leading to potential spine injuries during accidents or incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system dynamically adjusts its damping resistance by switching between first and second damping modes based on detected driving conditions. The control system monitors vehicle state and commands the damper to transition from a soft first mode during normal driving to a firm second mode when high-impact conditions are detected, optimizing both comfort and safety across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the damping parameter of the damper based on detected impact conditions. By adjusting the damping resistance parameter from a lower value in the first mode to a higher value in the second mode, the system adapts to varying operational requirements, providing comfort during normal driving and protection during high-impact events
2Reliability
If the damping resistance is increased to the second damping mode during normal driving, then the protection against impact forces is improved, but the comfort during normal driving is reduced due to excessively high damping resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The damper system dynamically adjusts its damping resistance by switching between first and second damping modes based on detected driving conditions. The control system monitors vehicle state and commands the damper to transition from a soft first mode during normal driving to a firm second mode when high-impact conditions are detected, optimizing both comfort and safety across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting impending high-impact conditions (such as airborne vehicle state or upcoming obstacles) and switching to the second damping mode before the actual impact occurs. This proactive adjustment ensures the damper is prepared to absorb impact forces while maintaining comfort during normal driving conditions
3Reliability
If the damper switches to the second damping mode before impact, then the force absorption capability is improved, but the response time and detection accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting impending high-impact conditions (such as airborne vehicle state or upcoming obstacles) and switching to the second damping mode before the actual impact occurs. This proactive adjustment ensures the damper is prepared to absorb impact forces while maintaining comfort during normal driving conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from sensors monitoring vehicle state (acceleration, position, velocity) to detect when the vehicle is in an airborne state or approaching high-impact conditions. This feedback information triggers the damper to switch to the appropriate damping mode, enabling timely response to changing conditions
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 effectively reduces the risk of spine and other injuries by increasing damping resistance before high-impact forces are exerted on the wheel suspension, ensuring a larger portion of the impact force is absorbed, thereby minimizing the force transferred to vehicle occupants.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one damper is such that it can adjust its damping resistance between a first damping mode and at least a second damping mode
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for a vehicle (10) comprising at least one wheel suspension (2) with at least one damper (3), wherein the at least one damper (3) is such that it can adjust its damping resistance between a first damping mode and at least a second damping mode, wherein the second damping mode presents a larger damping resistance than a damping resistance of the first damping mode. The method comprises the steps: S1) identifying if the vehicle (10) is in a first situation during driving of said vehicle (10) which may lead to a subsequent impact force (F) on the at least one wheel suspension (2) which is of a magnitude such that the at least one damper (3), when in its first damping mode, will reach a position where no further damping can be performed; and, if this is the case, S2) adjusting the damping resistance from the first damping mode to the at least second damping mode. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to an arrangement (1), a vehicle (10) comprising such an arrangement (1) and to a computer-readable storage medium comprising said method.