Vehicle Damper Current Control for Ambient Temperature Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle suspension systems face performance degradation due to temperature variations, leading to reduced comfort and increased wear, as the dynamic performance of suspension components is influenced by ambient temperature and usage conditions.

Innovation Solution

A control system for vehicle dampers that adjusts electrical current requests based on ambient temperature and operating parameters to maintain optimal damping performance by compensating for temperature effects, without additional physical components like cooling or heating systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the suspension system is tuned around a nominal ambient temperature, then the performance at nominal temperature is optimized, but the performance in environments outside the nominal temperature range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension system tuningVSAvoidtemperature range performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the electrical current request to the damper based on real-time temperature signals. When the temperature deviates from the nominal range, the controller modifies the current request to compensate for temperature-induced changes in hydraulic fluid viscosity, thereby maintaining optimal damping performance across varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical current parameter supplied to the damper based on temperature conditions. By receiving a temperature signal and determining whether the damper is operating outside a predetermined ambient temperature range, the controller outputs a modified electrical current request that accounts for temperature effects on fluid viscosity, thus adapting the system parameters to maintain performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional physical components like cooling or heating systems are added to counteract temperature effects, then the temperature compensation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensationVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical thermal management systems (cooling or heating components) with an electronic control system. The controller receives a temperature signal and outputs a modified electrical current request to the damper, using electrical control to compensate for temperature effects on hydraulic fluid viscosity without requiring additional physical cooling or heating infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses the existing damper actuator and control electronics to perform temperature compensation. By modifying the electrical current request based on temperature signals, the system leverages its own existing components rather than requiring external cooling or heating systems, thus achieving temperature compensation without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances damping control, improves ride comfort, and reduces wear by dynamically adjusting damper firmness to counteract the effects of temperature variations, ensuring consistent performance across varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

This may arise because the hydraulic fluid in the dampers may change viscosity with ambient temperature (i.e. become less viscous as the temperature increases).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity-temperature relationship:

Data Source

PatentUS12583277B2Damper control

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

AI summary

Aspects relate to control systems for dampers (200), damper systems (300), vehicle suspension systems, vehicles (700), methods (600) and computer software, as claimed in the appended claims. A control system (100) for a damper (200) of a suspension system of a vehicle (700) is provided, the control system comprising one or more controllers. The control system (100) is configured to: receive a temperature signal (402) indicative of an ambient temperature in an environment in which the vehicle is located; determine (404) if the damper is operating outside a predetermined ambient temperature range in dependence on the temperature signal; and when the damper is determined to be operating outside the predetermined ambient temperature range, output a modified electrical current request (406) to control the damper, the modified electrical current request being modified with respect to an electrical current request output to the damper when the damper is determined to be operating within the predetermined ambient temperature range.