Adjustable Suspension Frame Height for Crash Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods to prevent occupants' heads from striking the top windscreen cross member in a sports car during a head-on collision, such as increasing the passenger compartment height or lowering the front seat, compromise comfort and design goals, as they either enlarge the compartment or reduce safety standards compliance.
Innovation Solution
A road vehicle crash control method that uses adjustable suspensions and a control unit to raise the frame off the ground during a collision, activating front airbags and adjusting the vehicle's height to distance the occupants' heads from the rigid windscreen cross member, thereby reducing the risk of fatal impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the passenger compartment height is increased to prevent occupants' heads from striking the top windscreen cross member, then safety is improved, but the passenger compartment size increases compromising the racing car design and drag reduction goals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the passenger compartment height adjustable rather than fixed. The suspension system allows the frame to be raised relative to the wheels in response to detected crash conditions, dynamically changing the vertical distance between occupants and the windscreen cross member only when needed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining a compact compartment during normal operation while providing increased safety space during crashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting crash conditions before the actual impact occurs and proactively raising the frame to increase safety clearance. The control system monitors for crash signals and preemptively adjusts the suspension to position the passenger compartment at a safer height relative to the occupants, preventing head strikes before they can occur.
2Reliability
If the front seat is lowered to increase vertical distance from occupants' heads to the windscreen cross member, then safety is improved, but occupant comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the frame height through the suspension system rather than using a fixed lowered seat position. During normal operation, the frame remains at its standard height providing comfortable seating. Upon detecting a crash, the suspension raises the frame relative to the wheels, effectively increasing the vertical distance between occupants and the cross member without requiring permanent seat lowering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the suspension system as an intermediary mechanism between the frame and the wheels to achieve safety adjustments. Rather than directly lowering seats or modifying the passenger compartment structure, the suspension acts as a mediator that can dynamically change the relative position of the frame, thereby adjusting safety clearance without compromising comfort during normal use.
3Reliability
If rigid structural parts of the frame are kept far from occupants to prevent head strikes, then safety is improved, but the passenger compartment must be enlarged compromising drag reduction and mass reduction goals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using an active suspension system that can dynamically adjust the vertical position of the frame relative to the wheels based on detected crash conditions. This allows the rigid structural parts to remain close to occupants during normal operation (maintaining compact, lightweight design) while automatically increasing the distance during crashes through frame elevation, thus achieving safety without permanent structural modifications that would increase mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the vertical position parameter of the frame through suspension adjustment in response to crash detection. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to maintain optimal safety clearance only when needed, avoiding the need for permanently enlarged passenger compartments or additional safety structures that would increase vehicle mass.
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 method enhances safety by preventing head strikes on the windscreen cross member, allowing for a more compact and comfortable passenger compartment design while maintaining compliance with safety standards, and can be implemented cost-effectively using existing hardware.
Implementation Method 1
four adjustable suspensions 8 suspending frame 5 from wheels 2 and 3, and expandible or contractable to adjust the height of frame 5 with respect to the ground
Implementation Method 2
each suspension 8 comprises an elastic member 12 (typically a spring); a hydraulic shock-absorber 13
Implementation Method 3
activates front airbags 11 in passenger compartment 6
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling a road vehicle (1) having a number of wheels (2, 3); a frame (5) housing a passenger compartment (6); and a number of suspensions (8) suspending the frame (5) from respective wheels (2, 3), and expandible or contractable to adjust the height of the frame (5) with respect to the ground; the method including the steps of : determining a collision; and raising the frame (5) with respect to the ground by expanding at least some of the suspensions (8) on determining a collision.