Air Suspension Roll Suppression via Sub-Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air suspension systems face challenges in simultaneously achieving riding comfort and steering stability due to the limitations of coil springs, and existing systems are slow to respond to rapid roll situations, such as high-speed rotations or slalom maneuvers, due to pneumatic circuit characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An air suspension system that incorporates a sub-hydraulic unit interlocking with the main hydraulic unit or electrically regulating air spring pressure in roll moment situations, using a data collection unit, solenoid valves, and a drive unit to adjust air spring pressures independently, enhancing responsiveness and distributing load between the main and sub-hydraulic units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional coil spring is used in the suspension, then the structure is simple and strong, but the spring strength cannot be changed optionally, resulting in inability to simultaneously achieve riding comfort and steering stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional coil springs with air springs that use compressed air to provide suspension force. The air spring includes an air chamber where compressed air from a hydraulic unit regulates the spring pressure, enabling optional adjustment of spring strength to simultaneously achieve riding comfort and steering stability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Speed
If the compressor and air tank are used to raise vehicle height, then the system is simple, but the time required to reach desired vehicle height is limited even if the valve is turned on/off fast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-compresses air in an air tank using a hydraulic compressor during normal operation. When rapid height adjustment is needed (such as during roll suppression), the pre-compressed air is immediately released through control valves, eliminating the delay associated with compressing air on-demand and enabling fast vehicle height adjustment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a stabilizer bar is used to suppress rolls, then the roll suppression effect is improved, but riding comfort becomes hard and shock absorbing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic unit with control valves to directly regulate the air pressure in left and right air springs. During roll conditions, the system independently adjusts the pressure of each air spring to suppress vehicle roll, replacing the mechanical stabilizer bar approach. This pneumatic-hydraulic method provides roll suppression while maintaining soft suspension characteristics and shock absorbing capability.
4Measurement precision
If independent solenoid valves are used to control air spring pressure, then the control precision is improved, but the responsiveness is limited by pneumatic circuit characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic unit as an intermediary between the control system and air springs. The hydraulic unit rapidly generates and delivers compressed air to the air springs through control valves, enabling both precise pressure control and fast responsiveness to roll moments by decoupling the control valve operation from the pneumatic response time.
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 improves roll suppression effects, enhances steering stability and riding comfort, and extends the operating range of the air suspension system by quickly responding to instantaneous changes during roll moments.
Implementation Method 1
a double-acting cylinder whose piston rod is bilaterally moved to guide the flow of the compressed air in left and right directions
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid valve configured to control the flow of the compressed air additionally introduced into a second input port of each of the air springs
Data Source
AI summary
An air suspension system and a method of controlling the same. The air suspension system includes air springs, each having a first input port, the air springs adjusting heights of left and right front and rear wheels, a data collection unit configured to receive data regarding a vehicle state, a solenoid valve configured to control the flow of compressed air, a double-acting cylinder whose piston rod is moved to guide the flow of the compressed air in left and right directions, so that the compressed air is supplied to the air springs through the solenoid valves connected to left and right sides of the double-acting cylinder, a drive unit having a drive motor to move the piston rod, and a sub-control unit configured to set a driving position and driving acceleration, based on the vehicle state, and to operate the solenoid valve and the drive unit.