Dual Control Element System for Vehicle Driving Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle systems for selecting driving dynamics lack flexibility, as they either force specific actuator couplings or offer unclear options, limiting the driver's ability to choose tailored driving behaviors for different conditions, such as traction or sporty modes, without explicit control over individual actuators.

Innovation Solution

A dual control element system allows for selecting defined types of vehicle use via one element influencing longitudinal dynamics and choosing between comfort/stability and sportiness modes with optional forced coupling between longitudinal, vertical, and lateral dynamics actuators, enabling individual adjustability and transparency through on-screen visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single control element is used to select driving dynamics characteristics, then the system is simple to operate, but the driver cannot achieve individual adjustability of specific actuators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of controlVSAvoidindividual actuator adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two independent control elements: a first control element for selecting overall driving dynamics characteristics (affecting multiple actuators), and a second control element for individually adjusting specific actuators. This segmentation allows the driver to choose between simple overall control and detailed individual control, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If forced coupling between longitudinal, vertical, and lateral dynamics actuators is applied, then driving stability is maximized, but the driver loses flexibility to adjust individual actuators independently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving stabilityVSAvoidactuator independence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two operational states: a forced coupling mode where longitudinal, vertical, and lateral dynamics actuators are coordinated together for maximum stability, and an individual adjustability mode where specific actuators can be modified independently. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control elements are provided for comprehensive actuator control, then individual adjustability is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator control flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of control elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the most commonly needed control function (overall driving dynamics selection) into a separate first control element, while providing a second control element for individual actuator adjustment only when needed. This extraction reduces the perceived complexity by separating routine control from specialized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If terrain-specific presets are provided, then the system is easy to use, but the driver cannot create personalized driving characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreset selectionVSAvoidpersonalized configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two approaches: pre-configured terrain-specific presets (easy to use) and individual actuator adjustability (personalized configuration). The driver can start with a preset and then use the second control element to fine-tune specific actuators, combining the benefits of both preset simplicity and personalization flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1914141B1Operating concept for setting various driving dynamics characteristics in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2009.08.05 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

The control concept involves selecting a different behavior for a control element that influence longitudinal, vertical and the transverse dynamics of the vehicle for different driving conditions. A defined type of application is selected for the vehicle which influences on one of more longitudinal dynamic-control element. A forced coupling, provided for longitudinal, vertical, transverse dynamics-control elements is lifted in an individual adjustable driving dynamics characteristics.