CCD Suspension Control Using Roll-Angle-Based Height Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuously controlled damping (CCD) systems require multiple height sensors, leading to increased complexity, weight, and cabling, while systems with fewer sensors compromise vehicle comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system using three height sensors and a rotation-rate sensor, combined with a state estimation algorithm and Kalman filter, estimates complementary vertical positions to compensate for vehicle motions, reducing the need for additional sensors and cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple height sensors are used in CCD systems, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rotation-rate sensor to sense roll angle movements and creates an estimated copy of the vertical position data for the second axle based on the first axle's measurements and the sensed roll angle. This estimated copy replaces the need for direct physical measurement by a fourth height sensor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotation-rate sensor as an intermediary device that measures roll angle movements. This intermediary sensor, combined with mathematical estimation algorithms, enables indirect determination of vertical positions without requiring direct measurement by multiple height sensors, thus reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple height sensors are used in CCD systems, then measurement precision is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an estimated copy of vertical position data for the second axle using mathematical algorithms based on first axle measurements and roll angle sensing. This virtual copy eliminates the need for additional physical height sensors, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary fourth height sensor from the system by demonstrating that its function can be achieved through estimation algorithms using data from existing sensors, thereby reducing overall system weight
3Measurement precision
If multiple height sensors are used in CCD systems, then measurement precision is improved, but cabling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates an estimated copy of vertical position signals through mathematical processing of data from existing sensors. This eliminates the need for additional cabling connections to a fourth height sensor, thereby reducing cabling complexity while maintaining signal availability for all required measurements
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates in general to a vehicle and to a method for operating a vehicle methods and apparatus for operating vehicles including continuously controlled damping systems. An example vehicle includes a first height sensor and a second height sensor coupled to a first axle, and a third height sensor coupled to a second axle, the height sensors configured to determine vertical positions, a rotation-rate sensor configured to sense a relative roll angle of a rotation of the vehicle about a longitudinal axis, machine readable instructions, and a control device coupled to the height sensors and the rotation-rate sensor, the machine readable instructions to cause the control device to determine an estimated vertical position of the second axle based on the vertical positions and the relative roll angle.