Control-Arm Active Mass Damper for Vehicle Ride Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive suspension systems in motor vehicles are ineffective in actively damping transient movements between the sprung and unsprung masses, leading to inefficient control of vehicle ride quality and comfort.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled suspension system with an active mass damper mounted to a control arm, applying forces to both the sprung and unsprung masses via an actuator driven by a control system, which selectively moves the damper mass to counteract unsprung mass movements, thereby reducing the overall forces applied to the sprung mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional passive suspension system is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it is ineffective in actively damping transient movements between the sprung and unsprung masses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static passive damper to a dynamic active mass damper system. The actuator actively moves the damper mass in real-time to counteract transient movements between the sprung and unsprung masses, enabling the system to adapt to varying road conditions and actively damp vibrations rather than passively resisting them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical passive damper with an electromechanical active damper system. The actuator (electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic) substitutes for the passive mechanical damping mechanism, allowing electronic control signals to drive the damper mass and provide active damping forces based on real-time suspension state feedback.
2Reliability
If an active mass damper with actuator is introduced, then transient movements are actively damped, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active mass damper is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a vibration counterweight and a dynamic damper. The same actuator and damper mass assembly that counteracts unsprung mass movements also provides damping forces to the sprung mass, eliminating the need for separate active damping components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the active vibration counterweight function and the active damping function into a single integrated mass damper assembly. By combining these functions, the system reduces the number of separate components needed compared to having independent active vibration control and active damping systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving multiple performance goals.
3Reliability
If the active mass damper is mounted to the control arm, then forces are distributed to both masses, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control arm is designed to serve dual functions: its traditional role in suspension geometry and linkage, plus its role as a force transmission member for the active mass damper. By making the control arm a multi-functional component that transmits forces to both the unsprung and sprung masses, the patent eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving effective force distribution.
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 active mass damper effectively reduces the transfer of unsprung mass movements to the sprung mass, enhancing vehicle ride comfort and stability by actively damping transient movements.
Implementation Method 1
an active mass damper including a damper mass and an actuator responsive to a drive signal to move the damper mass to apply a first force to the unsprung mass and a second force to the sprung mass
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controlled suspension system for a motor vehicle having a sprung mass, an unsprung mass, and a control arm attached between the sprung and unsprung masses, may include an active mass damper and a driver to control the active mass damper, wherein the active mass damper is mounted to the control arm such that a first force applied by the active mass damper to the unsprung mass through the control arm is a fraction of a total force applicable by the active mass damper and a second force applied by the active mass damper to the sprung mass through the control arm is a remaining fraction of the total force, wherein the fraction is defined by a ratio of a distance of the active mass damper from the one end of the control arm and a length of the control arm.