Vehicle Air Suspension Height Control via Predictive Reservoir Pressurization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air suspension systems using stainless steel springs face a trade-off between ride comfort and handling stability, and the air suspension systems with air springs experience delays in vehicle height control due to insufficient reservoir pressure, leading to incomplete or delayed height adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for controlling an air suspension that includes a compressor, a reservoir, a road information provider, and a controller to determine the required vehicle height control position and secure sufficient reservoir pressure before arriving at that position, ensuring the internal pressure reaches a predetermined reference pressure to facilitate timely and effective vehicle height adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the compressor operates only when reservoir pressure is insufficient, then energy consumption is reduced, but vehicle height control time is delayed and control completeness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor energy consumptionVSAvoidvehicle height control time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by operating the compressor in advance based on predicted vehicle height control requirements. The controller predicts when height adjustment will be needed and activates the compressor beforehand to build sufficient reservoir pressure, ensuring timely control execution without excessive energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts compressor operation strategy based on real-time conditions. The controller continuously monitors reservoir pressure, vehicle state, and predicts future control needs, dynamically switching between different compressor operation modes (advance operation, on-demand operation, or idle) to optimize the balance between energy consumption and control responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the compressor is operated in advance to secure reservoir pressure, then vehicle height control timeliness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle height control speedVSAvoidcompressor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring reservoir pressure levels and comparing them against predicted requirements. The controller receives feedback on current pressure status and adjusts compressor operation timing and duration accordingly, optimizing energy usage while ensuring sufficient pressure is available when needed for timely height control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables stable vehicle height control, enhancing ride comfort and reducing passenger discomfort by anticipating road conditions and maintaining sufficient reservoir pressure for timely air spring activation, thus balancing ride comfort and handling stability.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor configured to supply compressed air... operating the compressor before the vehicle arrives at the determined vehicle height control position, thereby filling the reservoir with compressed air such that an internal pressure of the reservoir becomes a predetermined reference pressure or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a reservoir configured to store compressed air supplied from the compressor and to supply the stored compressed air to the air suspension during vehicle height control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure storage:

Implementation Method 3

The air spring applied to the air suspension may also adjust the height of the vehicle body (vehicle height) through control of the air pressure therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control:

Data Source

PatentUS11312204B2Apparatus and method for controlling air suspension of vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and method for controlling an air suspension of a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus includes a compressor configured to supply compressed air, a reservoir configured to store compressed air supplied from the compressor and to supply the stored compressed air to the air suspension during vehicle height control, a road information provider configured to provide road state information of a road in front of the vehicle during travel of the vehicle, and a controller configured to determine a vehicle height control position of the air suspension based on the road state information and to operate the compressor before the vehicle arrives at the determined vehicle height control position, thereby filling the reservoir with the compressed air such that an internal pressure of the reservoir reaches at least a predetermined reference pressure.