Damper Oil Temperature Control via Electrical Signal Pattern Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the temperature of damper oil in motor vehicle shock absorbers are prone to inaccuracies due to thermal influences on electrical components, leading to discrepancies between desired and actual damper hardness.
Innovation Solution
A method using pattern recognition, specifically a neural network, to extract temperature values from noisy current and voltage measurements across a damper actuator, combined with a Kalman filter for outlier elimination, allows for precise temperature determination and adjustment of damper settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If indirect temperature measurement using electrical components is used, then temperature control capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal influences on circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation unit that processes electrical signals from multiple sources (coil resistance, semiconductor characteristics, current-voltage curves) to indirectly determine temperature. This intermediary layer separates the direct measurement from the final temperature value, allowing complex thermal influences to be processed and compensated systematically, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit serves multiple functions: it measures coil resistance, analyzes semiconductor characteristics, processes current-voltage curves, and determines temperature compensation values. By making the evaluation unit multi-functional, the system can handle various thermal measurement approaches and compensate for different sources of error, improving precision while maintaining temperature control capability.
2Device complexity
If throttle position is not corrected for temperature, then device complexity is reduced, but damper hardness control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature determination and compensation value calculation before adjusting the throttle position. By determining the temperature compensation value in advance based on electrical measurements, the system can pre-correct the throttle position setting, ensuring precise damper hardness control without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the evaluation unit continuously monitors electrical parameters, determines temperature compensation values, and adjusts the throttle position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that damper hardness remains precise despite temperature variations, while the automated nature of the feedback reduces the need for manual intervention and complex mechanical adjustment systems.
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
This approach ensures accurate damper hardness control, maintaining desired driving comfort and safety by accurately accounting for temperature changes and preventing overheating, with minimal need for constant readjustment.
Implementation Method 1
the ohmic resistance of a magnetic coil of an adjustable throttle of the damper is used for this purpose
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity of liquids is usually dependent on their temperature, the flow behavior of the shock absorber oil also changes. The viscosity of the damper oil usually decreases as the temperature rises
Implementation Method 3
measured current flow and voltage drop across an actuator of a damper
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves charging an electrical actuator for adjusting current cross-section of a controllable regulator element of a damper (16). The current cross-section is adjusted according to a given damper hardness adjustment. The temperature of the damper oil is adjusted with an electrical signal. The temperature of the damper oil is determined from the current flow and voltage drop by pattern recognition. USE : Method for controlling a damper for a motor vehicle. ADVANTAGE : The method involves charging an electrical actuator for adjusting current cross-section of a controllable regulator element of a damper, and hence ensures simplified and improved controlling method. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a schematic block representation of the signal flow for executing a controlling method. (Drawing includes non-English language text). 10 : Surrounding data 12 : Damping actuator 14 : Control loop 16 : Damper 20 : Temperature model.