Damper Fluid Temperature Compensation via Dynamic Orifice Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle dampers experience variations in damping force due to temperature changes in the damper fluid, leading to inconsistent ride comfort, especially under low temperature conditions where the higher viscosity of the fluid results in harsher rides.
Innovation Solution
A control system that estimates the temperature of the damper fluid using data from sensors not in direct contact with the fluid, calculates the desired damping force, and adjusts the size of the fluid flow paths to maintain a consistent damping force by compensating for temperature-related viscosity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the damper fluid temperature is low, then the viscosity of the damper fluid increases, but the damping force becomes excessively high resulting in harsh ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the damper by adjusting the orifice size dynamically based on temperature. When temperature is low, the orifice size is increased to reduce flow resistance and compensate for high viscosity, thereby maintaining consistent damping characteristics and ride comfort across varying temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that continuously monitors temperature and adjusts the orifice size in real-time. This transforms the static orifice into a dynamic component that adapts to changing thermal conditions, ensuring optimal damping performance regardless of temperature fluctuations
2Device complexity
If the orifice size is fixed, then the damper structure is simple, but the damping force varies with temperature resulting in inconsistent ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the fixed orifice into a dynamically adjustable component controlled by a motor mechanism. The controller receives temperature inputs and actuates the motor to adjust orifice size, creating a dynamic system that maintains stable damping force despite temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor damper fluid temperature and feed this information to the controller. The controller then adjusts the orifice size accordingly, creating a self-regulating system that maintains consistent damping characteristics
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 effectively reduces variations in damping force, ensuring a consistent ride comfort by adjusting the fluid flow resistance based on estimated temperature, thereby maintaining the damping force within a desired range regardless of temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
estimating, with a vehicle controller, a temperature of a fluid of the vehicle damper based on data relating to heat added to the fluid and data relating to heat lost from the fluid
Implementation Method 2
The damping force generated by the damper may depend at least in part on the size (e.g., diameter) of the orifice and on the viscosity of the damper fluid. The damping characteristics of the damper may be affected by the ambient conditions in which the vehicle is operated. For example, under low temperature ambient conditions, the damper fluid may also have a low temperature, and as a result, have a relatively higher viscosity.
Data Source
AI summary
A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.