Vehicle Air Suspension Control System Using GPS Location Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle air suspension systems lack an efficient automatic adjustment mechanism that can adapt to changing conditions and driver preferences, often resulting in potential damage from inadequate ride height adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a central processing unit coupled with GPS, air pressure sensors, and user interfaces to automatically adjust ride height based on preset location data and vehicle speed, allowing for customizable and adaptive ride height adjustments through a touch-screen interface or other input methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automatic ride height adjustment based on GPS location and vehicle speed is implemented, then vehicle safety and damage prevention are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle damage preventionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single control system: GPS location monitoring, vehicle speed sensing, automatic ride height calculation, and air spring adjustment all occur through one integrated controller. This merging of navigation, sensing, and suspension control functions resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive vehicle protection while consolidating system complexity into a unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring GPS location and vehicle speed to predict upcoming conditions (such as speed bumps or steep inclines) before they occur. The controller proactively adjusts ride height in advance based on pre-stored location data and real-time speed information, preventing damage before it happens rather than reacting after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and GPS integration are used for automatic adjustment, then adjustment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveride height measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal platform that handles GPS signal processing, vehicle speed measurement, ride height calculation, and air spring control. This universal controller can process multiple types of inputs (GPS coordinates, speed signals, location data) through a single integrated unit, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If continuous monitoring of vehicle speed and location is performed, then ride height adjustment timeliness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment response timeVSAvoidsystem energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring and adjustment cycles rather than continuous operation. The controller periodically checks GPS location data and vehicle speed signals, compares current position with pre-stored location information, and triggers ride height adjustments only when approaching specific geographic coordinates or speed thresholds. This periodic action pattern maintains timely response to critical conditions while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10915179B2Vehicle air suspension control system
Publication Date: 2021.02.09 TESLA INC
  • US10915179B2 patent drawing
  • US10915179B2 patent drawing
  • US10915179B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of automatically adjusting the ride height of a vehicle each time the vehicle is in a particular location is provided, where the automatic ride height adjustment is based on location and ride height information previously gathered from a user.