Integrated Air Spring-Damper With Linear Motor for Active Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active vehicle suspension systems face challenges with high complexity, cost, and inefficiency due to the integration of hydraulic dampers and mechanical springs, limiting their performance and responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air spring-damper system incorporating a linear motor and an air spring member, which operates independently while complementing each other, providing active damping with reduced package size, lower power consumption, and faster response through active and passive damping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic dampers and mechanical springs are integrated in conventional passive vehicle suspension, then the suspension can absorb impacts and control spring motion, but the system complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air spring and damper into a single integrated unit where the air spring piston with rolling lobe engagement is positioned about the damper, merging two separate components into one compact assembly that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining suspension performance
Solution Approach 2:
The air spring piston serves multiple functions: it provides the spring function through air pressure while simultaneously engaging with the rolling lobe to provide damping control, making the component multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated components
2Ease of operation
If conventional air spring dampers use rolling lobe engagement, then the air spring can be positioned about the hydraulic damper, but the package size and response time are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional hydraulic damper with an electromagnetic damper that uses electromagnetic fields instead of hydraulic fluid, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic passages and enabling faster response times while maintaining the rolling lobe engagement mechanism for positioning
3Reliability
If active vehicle suspension systems use actuators to exert force on the suspension, then the vehicle dynamics can be directly improved, but the power consumption and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electromagnetic damper that can vary its damping characteristics by changing electromagnetic field parameters rather than requiring high-power actuators, enabling active suspension control with reduced power consumption by dynamically adjusting damping forces based on road 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
The system achieves improved vehicle dynamics with reduced complexity, lower costs, and enhanced performance by utilizing the combined effects of an air spring and a damper with a linear motor, allowing for accurate and fail-safe operation without additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The damper comprises a linear motor
Implementation Method 2
The air spring, in particular the first air spring member, may employ the spring characteristic of an enclosed volume of pressurized air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The invention relates to an air spring-damper (1) for active vehicle suspension. In particular, the present invention relates to an integrated device of an air spring member (10) and a damper (20) that is connected to the air spring member (10) and comprises a linear motor (30).