Semi-Active Cab Suspension Control for Ride and Roll Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle suspension systems often focus on a single aspect of vehicle performance, such as damping or ride height, and lack a cost-effective solution for combining multiple technologies to provide superior cab suspension performance, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the use of different technologies at the front and rear of the cab from various manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A semi-active cab suspension system controlled by a single controller, utilizing air springs, shock absorbers, and isolators, which can adjust damping, height, and stiffness in real-time based on input from various sensors, allowing for improved ride quality and road holding by varying the magnetic or electric properties of magneto-rheological or electrorheological fluids within the suspension components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different suspension technologies from various manufacturers are used at the front and rear of the cab, then specific performance aspects can be addressed, but the system complexity increases and cost-effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension performance coverageVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple suspension functions (damping control, height control, and stiffness control) into a single integrated cab suspension system. The front and rear suspension systems are merged under one controller that coordinates all components, eliminating the need for separate systems from different manufacturers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive performance coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cab suspension system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides damping control through adjustable shock absorbers, height control through air springs with variable pressure, and stiffness control through adjustable isolators. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized systems while addressing all suspension performance aspects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If passive rubber isolators are used at the cab corners, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot dynamically adjust to changing road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiddynamic adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static passive rubber isolators with dynamic adjustable isolators that can change their stiffness characteristics in real-time. These isolators incorporate adjustable elements controlled by a central controller, allowing the system to adapt to varying road conditions and cab motion states while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized component design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If air springs with height control valves are used, then ride height can be adjusted, but air consumption increases reducing fuel economy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidair consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The height control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor cab position and adjust air spring pressure only when necessary to maintain optimal ride height. The controller receives input from position sensors and activates valves selectively rather than continuously, reducing air consumption while preserving height adjustment capability. The system adjusts damping and height coordinates based on real-time cab motion state feedback.

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

The system achieves enhanced ride quality, reduced vibration, and improved road holding by dynamically adjusting suspension properties, providing a more comprehensive and cost-effective solution compared to existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

varying the magnetic or electric properties of magneto-rheological or electrorheological fluids within the suspension components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagneto-rheological effect: Magnetorheological Fluid

Implementation Method 2

varying the magnetic or electric properties of magneto-rheological or electrorheological fluids within the suspension components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrorheological effect: Electrorheological Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11926368B2Cab suspension systems and associated methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 LINK MFG LTD

AI summary

Vehicle cab suspension control systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the cab suspension control systems can include front cab-to-frame mounts that include controllable elastomer-based isolators that can provide real time variable damping to improve ride quality and/or road holding and reduce cab roll in response to, for example, input from one or more cab and/or frame mounted accelerometers, position sensors, etc. Embodiments of the control systems described herein can utilize a single vehicle controller (e.g., an ECU) to control all of the cab suspension components (e.g., semi-active damping technologies, air spring technologies, etc.) employed on a vehicle to provide a single suspension control solution that can provide improved ride performance, road holding, etc.