Adaptive Chassis Mode Switching with Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adaptive chassis systems are expensive and not suitable for smaller vehicles due to the need for sophisticated sensor systems and fast regulating equipment, limiting their availability and increasing costs, while two-stage damping systems compromise on comfort and safety, making them unsuitable for optimal driving comfort.
Innovation Solution
A method for a motor vehicle with an adjustable chassis that can switch between a stiffer and a more comfortable mode, using a user-activated system to detect loading states and prevent the more comfortable mode from being activated when a load limit is exceeded, allowing for increased comfort without sacrificing safety or requiring additional sensor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sophisticated sensor system and fast regulating equipment are used to create an adaptive chassis, then driving comfort and handling are improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the loading detection function from complex sensor systems and implements it using existing vehicle sensors (acceleration sensors, headlight range adjustment systems) already present in the vehicle. This removes the need for additional sophisticated sensor systems while maintaining the ability to detect loading states and adjust chassis characteristics accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing vehicle sensors serve multiple functions: acceleration sensors are used both for their original purpose and for detecting vehicle loading states, while headlight range adjustment systems are utilized to determine chassis inclination and infer loading conditions. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining adaptive chassis capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If a two-stage damping system is used to reduce costs, then system cost decreases, but the maximum degree of driving comfort is limited due to safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of loading states using existing vehicle sensors before safety issues arise. By continuously monitoring acceleration patterns and chassis inclination, the system identifies maximum loading conditions in advance and proactively adjusts damping characteristics, preventing safety problems while maintaining comfort during normal operation. This preliminary action enables a simpler two-stage system to achieve comfort levels previously only possible with complex adaptive systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least a first axle and at least a second axle, wherein the motor vehicle has a chassis that can be adjusted by the user, and which is operable at least in a first mode and at least in a second mode, which is more comfortable than the first mode. When the user activates the more comfortable second mode, a loading state of the motor vehicle is checked. The chassis is not shifted from the first mode into the second mode for at least axle, or is changed from the second mode into the first mode of the chassis if a limit load is exceeded.