Adaptive Suspension System with Gear-Driven MR Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current kinetic energy absorption solutions in transportation are inadequate due to insufficient shock absorption and inability to adapt to changing environments, rendering them ineffective in reducing the transfer of road vibrations to passengers and payloads.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive suspension support system that includes a payload platform with a damper resistance adjusted based on payload weight, a gear drive, and pneumatic devices to maintain piston position, allowing for multi-axis suspension and dynamic damper force adjustment to isolate payloads from kinetic energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static kinetic energy absorption solutions are used, then the structure is simple, but they are incapable of adapting shock absorption to a changing environment
Solution Approach 1:
The damper resistance is made dynamically adjustable through a gear drive mechanism that connects the piston to the payload. The gear drive translates payload movement into rotational motion that adjusts the damper resistance, enabling the system to adapt to changing acceleration forces and environmental conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the piston position and payload movement are continuously monitored. The gear drive mechanism automatically adjusts the damper resistance based on the detected payload acceleration and position, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions without requiring complex external control systems.
2Reliability
If multi-axis suspension is implemented, then shock absorption performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear drive mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts the damper resistance, maintains piston position within minimum and maximum throw limits, and enables multi-axis shock absorption. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby improving shock absorption performance while limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the damper adjustment mechanism, piston position control, and shock absorption functions into a single integrated system. The gear drive merges the rotational adjustment motion with the linear piston movement, creating a compact multi-axis suspension system that achieves superior shock absorption without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If damper resistance is dynamically adjusted, then kinetic energy absorption is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper resistance adjustment system is self-regulating through the gear drive mechanism. The piston's own movement during suspension operation automatically drives the gear mechanism, which in turn adjusts the damper resistance to match the current acceleration conditions. This self-service approach improves kinetic energy absorption while avoiding the need for external sensors, motors, or complex electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear drive acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the linear motion of the piston into rotational motion for adjusting the damper resistance. This mechanical intermediary enables smooth, continuous adjustment of damper resistance in response to payload movement, improving kinetic energy absorption through a simple mechanical linkage rather than complex electronic 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
The adaptive suspension system effectively reduces kinetic energy transfer across various axes, enhancing passenger comfort and payload protection by dynamically adapting to changing acceleration forces, thereby improving shock and vibration absorption in mobile environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pneumatic device coupled to the payload and operable to maintain a position of the piston between a minimum and a maximum throw position
Implementation Method 2
at least one damper having a damper resistance based, at least in part, on information indicative of a weight of the payload
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension system providing both coarse and fine suspension for payloads such as passenger seats, trailers, passenger compartments of motor vehicles, shock/vibration generating devices etc. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a selected position regardless of the weight of the payload. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in time and/or frequency domains to determine a variable amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device. A nominal damper resistance of the MR device is selected based at least on the combined weight of the payload. A piston of the MR device is centered about its throw range and the piston is actuated at angles not parallel to the movement of the payload to provide low-profile operation.