Adjustable Spring Rate Suspension via Fluid Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive suspension systems for motor vehicles offer only a single spring setting, limiting driving comfort and the ability to adapt to varying road surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A spring and damping device with an upper and lower region and a damping element featuring a coil spring and a rubber spring arranged coaxially, allowing for adjustable spring rate by varying the pressure of a fluid within a cavity, enabling switching between hard and soft spring settings based on road conditions or driver input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional passive suspension system with a single spring setting is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different road surfaces and driving conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic spring rate adjustment mechanism where the spring element's characteristics can be changed during vehicle operation. A control system monitors driving conditions and road surface characteristics, then actively adjusts the spring rate by varying fluid pressure in a hydraulic system, allowing the suspension to adapt between soft and hard settings in real-time based on actual driving conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring element by varying the pressure of a fluid within a cavity. By adjusting the fluid pressure, the spring rate can be dynamically modified without changing the physical structure of the spring itself, enabling transition between different spring characteristics (soft/hard settings) through parameter control rather than structural modification
2Ease of operation
If a single spring setting is used in the suspension system, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but the driving comfort and road-holding capability cannot be optimized for varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional spring element that can operate in multiple modes (soft and hard spring settings) within a single device. The spring element is designed to accommodate variable fluid pressure, allowing it to serve different functions - providing comfort-oriented soft suspension on smooth roads and performance-oriented hard suspension on rough roads - without requiring separate suspension systems for each condition
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring rate is made adjustable to adapt to different road surfaces, then the adaptability and driving comfort are improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic system to adjust the spring rate of the spring element. A hydraulic actuator varies the fluid pressure within a cavity surrounding or adjacent to the spring element. By controlling the hydraulic pressure through a valve system managed by a control unit, the spring characteristics can be adjusted without complex mechanical linkages or multiple physical spring components, leveraging fluid pressure control to achieve variable spring rates
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 enhances driving comfort by allowing the suspension to adapt to different road surfaces and driving conditions, improving road-holding and controllability by adjusting the spring rate dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
A coil spring element and a rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along the center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element
Data Source
AI summary
A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles includes an upper region, a lower region, and a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The device further includes a coil spring element and a rubber spring element. The coil spring element and the rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along a center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. The device allows a spring rate to be adjusted based either on sensed conditions, or by driver input. The spring rate may be adjustable between discrete settings or continuously variable.