Vehicle Cab-Chassis Vibration Control Using Imaging Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control mechanisms are inadequate in counteracting excessive vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces, leading to potential skidding and damage, particularly in vehicles with a chassis and driver cab configuration.

Innovation Solution

A controller and control method using imaging sensors and vehicle state data to generate control signals that adjust the vehicle's settings to mitigate vibrations between the chassis and driver cab, employing actuators for active damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the driver cab is allowed to shift freely on the chassis, then the vehicle can adapt to uneven road surfaces, but excessive vibrations occur between the chassis and driver cab

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to uneven road surfacesVSAvoidrelative movement between chassis and driver cab

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism dynamically adjusts the coupling between chassis and driver cab based on detected road unevenness and vibration levels. The system transitions between flexible and rigid coupling states, optimizing both adaptability and stability according to current driving conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vibration levels and road conditions, then adjusts the coupling mechanism in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that the driver cab remains stable while maintaining the ability to adapt to varying road surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If imaging sensors are used to detect road unevenness, then advance detection is possible, but the control mechanism cannot adequately counteract vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of road unevennessVSAvoidvibration counteraction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects road unevenness in advance using imaging sensors and proactively adjusts the coupling mechanism before the vehicle encounters the uneven surface. This preliminary action prevents excessive vibrations from occurring in the first place

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control mechanism changes physical parameters such as coupling stiffness and damping coefficients based on detected road conditions. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system effectively counteracts vibrations that would otherwise occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12397604B2Controller, control method, and computer program product for a vehicle which has a chassis part and a driver cab part that can be found on the chassis part

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG

AI summary

A control unit for a vehicle that has a chassis and a driver's cab on the chassis, comprising a first data interface for receiving image data generated by an imaging sensor, a second data interface for receiving vehicle state data generated by a vehicle state sensor, an evaluation unit for evaluating the image data and/or the vehicle state data in order to generate a first control signal on the basis of the evaluation of the image data, which is configured to counteract a relative movement between the chassis and the driver's cab and/or generate a second control signal on the basis of the evaluation of the vehicle state data, which is configured to correct a setting of the imaging sensor, and a signal output unit for outputting the first and/or second control signals.