Air Spring Reservoir Integration for Vehicle Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motion control systems face challenges in effectively reducing vibrations transmitted from unsprung masses to sprung masses due to surface irregularities, which current technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle suspension system that includes an air spring and an air reservoir, where the air reservoir is integrated within a vehicle component, such as a control arm or the vehicle structure, allowing for increased working volume without increasing the size of the air spring, thereby reducing stiffness and enhancing vibration reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the air spring size is increased to reduce stiffness and improve vibration reduction, then the vibration reduction capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air reservoir is integrated within the control arm structure, nesting the reservoir function inside an existing suspension component. This allows the air spring system to access additional working volume without increasing the overall suspension system size, as the reservoir shares space with the control arm's structural volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the suspension system and simultaneously houses the air reservoir. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced vibration reduction capabilities without adding separate dedicated components that would increase device complexity and space requirements.
2Stress or pressure
If a remotely positioned air tank is used to increase working volume, then the air spring stiffness is reduced, but air pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control arm acts as an intermediary structure that directly connects the air reservoir to the air spring system. This eliminates the need for remote positioning of the air tank and associated piping, thereby reducing air pressure losses while still providing the increased working volume needed to reduce air spring stiffness.
3Device complexity
If the air reservoir is integrated within the control arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air reservoir is merged with the control arm as an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. This combining reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and alignment procedures, while the manufacturing precision requirements are managed through standardized control arm production processes.
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 configuration effectively reduces the transmission of vibrations by increasing the available working volume for the air spring, improving the vehicle's ride comfort without incurring air pressure losses associated with remotely positioned air tanks.
Implementation Method 1
an air spring that supports the vehicle structure with respect to the control arm and is able to compress and expand
Implementation Method 2
the air spring includes an internal working volume, the air spring includes a second port that is in fluid communication with the internal working volume, and the second port is connected to the first port to allow exchange of air between the internal working volume of the air spring and the air reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A motion control system includes a spring that supports a body structure with respect to a rotating assembly, the spring including an internal working volume, a structure that is connected between the spring and the rotating assembly, and a reservoir that is located in the structure. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the internal working volume of the spring to allow exchange of air between the internal working volume of the spring and the reservoir.