Air Suspension Height Precision Modes for Rough Roads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle suspension systems with automatic leveling face issues such as overactivity on rough roads and masking of incorrect installation or service conditions, leading to asymmetrical corner weights and negative impacts on vehicle dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based system that adjusts suspension settings based on operating conditions, including road roughness, service environments, and vehicle speed, to implement different height precision modes and control methodologies, such as independent axle control, to prevent over-corrections and identify installation errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the automatic levelling system responds to rapid changes in wheel position on rough roads, then the vehicle attempts to maintain level position, but this causes overactivity and unnecessary actuation that is noticeable to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the levelling threshold based on detected road roughness conditions. When rapid wheel position changes are detected, the system increases the threshold for triggering levelling events, allowing normal road irregularities to pass without correction. This dynamic adaptation prevents overactivity while maintaining responsiveness to actual loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter (levelling threshold) based on operating conditions. By monitoring wheel position changes and determining when they exceed a dynamic threshold indicative of rough road conditions, the system adjusts its sensitivity to prevent unnecessary actuation while maintaining accurate levelling when needed.
2Shape
If the automatic levelling system corrects vehicle lean caused by incorrect component installation, then the vehicle appears level, but this masks the underlying installation error and creates asymmetrical corner weights
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors corner weights and compares them against expected values. When asymmetrical corner weights are detected, the system generates a diagnostic alert to notify service personnel of potential installation errors. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain level appearance through active compensation while simultaneously identifying and reporting the underlying problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the physical installation error and the vehicle's level appearance. Rather than allowing the error to manifest as visible vehicle lean, the system compensates through active levelling control while using corner weight monitoring as a mediator to detect and report the underlying issue to service personnel.
3Device complexity
If the suspension system uses average axle control methodology, then height adjustments are based on average of two vehicle heights at a single axle, but this may not address individual wheel height errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the height control function into two distinct methodologies: average axle control for normal operation and independent wheel control for diagnostic modes. By dividing the control strategy based on operating conditions, the system maintains simplicity during routine operation while enabling precise individual wheel adjustment when installation errors are suspected.
Solution Approach 2:
The height control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides average axle control for normal height adjustments and can switch to independent wheel control for diagnostic purposes. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address both routine height management and precise installation verification without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Example illustrations are directed to a suspension system for a vehicle and methods. In some examples, a controller of a suspension system is configured to determine the vehicle is in a service environment, and to set a height precision mode for the suspension system based on the determination the vehicle is in the service environment. In some examples, the controller is configured to detect a suspension operating condition of the vehicle, and to change a setting associated with the suspension system based on the suspension operating condition. An example method comprises detecting, using a controller, a suspension operating condition of a suspension system of a vehicle. The method may further include changing, using the controller, a setting associated with the suspension system based upon the suspension operating condition.