Air Suspension Fallback for Roll Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active roll control systems in motor vehicles can exhibit undesirable rolling behavior when malfunctioning, leading to compromised vehicle movement dynamics, and existing solutions like short-circuiting electric motors or using hard-setting shock absorbers increase fuel consumption, weight, and packaging volume.
Innovation Solution
An air suspension system operates in a fallback mode with adjusted air spring settings to maintain dynamic stability, including reducing air pressure to lower the vehicle body, increasing spring constants, and modifying transverse connections between air springs to enhance resistance to rolling and understeer behavior when a malfunction in the active roll control system is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the active roll control system is used to provide soft suspension and adjustable rolling properties, then vehicle comfort and adaptability are improved, but the system complexity and potential for malfunction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air suspension system with the active roll control system, merging two functions into a single integrated system. The air springs serve both as suspension elements and as active roll control actuators, eliminating the need for separate mechanical roll control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air springs are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide suspension support, enable body height adjustment, and serve as active roll control elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall vehicle suspension system while maintaining adjustable rolling properties.
2Reliability
If conventional fallback measures like short-circuiting electric motors or using hard-setting shock absorbers are applied, then roll stability is improved, but fuel consumption increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the air springs by adjusting air pressure and volume to achieve different spring constants. In fallback mode, the air pressure is reduced and volume is increased to create a softer spring characteristic that provides sufficient roll stability without requiring additional energy input or heavier components, unlike conventional hard-setting shock absorbers.
3Reliability
If conventional fallback measures like short-circuiting electric motors or using hard-setting shock absorbers are applied, then roll stability is improved, but packaging volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fallback roll stability function into the existing air suspension system components. The same air springs and control unit that provide normal suspension functionality also handle the fallback roll stability requirement, eliminating the need for separate hard-setting shock absorbers or additional stabilization mechanisms that would increase packaging volume.
4Ease of operation
If the air spring volume is increased to reduce spring constant for softer suspension, then ride comfort is improved, but resistance to rolling decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spring constant dynamic by allowing real-time adjustment of air spring parameters (pressure and volume). The system can adapt the spring characteristics based on driving conditions: softer settings for comfort during normal operation, and firmer settings for improved roll stability when needed, such as during cornering or in fallback mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the air springs (pressure and volume) to achieve different spring constants. By reducing air pressure and increasing volume, the system achieves a softer spring characteristic that provides both ride comfort and sufficient roll stability through the modified geometric and mechanical properties of the air spring system.
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 method ensures improved resistance to rolling and desired understeer behavior, even during active roll control system failures, by lowering the vehicle's center of gravity and increasing rigidity, thus stabilizing the vehicle's movement dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
These systems include air-filled bellows that bring about the desired spring effect. A level of the air spring can also be changed by changing the air pressure of the air in the bellows
Implementation Method 2
air-filled bellows that bring about the desired spring effect
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a motor vehicle having an active roll control system and an air suspension system including operating the air suspension system in a normal mode, according to a normal air spring setting. Upon determining a fault or malfunction of the active roll control system operating the air suspension in a fallback mode, according to a fallback air spring setting, wherein the fallback mode is different from the normal mode.