Electromagnetic Suspension Stiffness Control for Vehicle Body Roll
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles experience body roll due to approaching vehicles, which existing technologies fail to effectively mitigate, especially when the vehicle is stationary and other vehicles are moving at high velocities or have large frontal surface areas.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sensors to measure vehicle velocity and approaching vehicle data, adjusting the suspension system's stiffness via an electromagnetic ride control system, stiffening when the vehicle is stopped and approaching vehicles exceed certain velocity or surface area thresholds, and loosening when conditions change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the suspension system is stiffened to reduce body roll, then ride comfort is improved, but the vehicle responsiveness and handling are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system transitions from a static, fixed-stiffness design to a dynamic, adjustable-stiffness system. The controller continuously monitors vehicle conditions and adjusts suspension stiffness in real-time, allowing the system to be soft during normal driving for comfort and handling, and stiff during detected body roll events for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system's key parameter (stiffness) is changed based on detected conditions. When body roll is detected through sensors monitoring vehicle attitude and motion, the controller increases suspension stiffness by adjusting damping coefficients or spring rates, thereby reducing body roll while maintaining normal handling characteristics during other driving conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the suspension system is continuously stiffened to prevent body roll, then stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous stiffening, the suspension system applies stiffness adjustments periodically and intermittently based on detected body roll events. The controller activates the electromagnetic actuators only when needed to counteract body roll, then returns the suspension to its normal softer state, thereby reducing continuous energy consumption while maintaining stability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stiffness adjustment function from a continuously active system and implements it as an on-demand feature. The electromagnetic ride control actuators are engaged only during specific body roll conditions rather than operating continuously, removing unnecessary energy consumption from the system while maintaining stability control capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sensors and control systems are added to adjust suspension, then body roll control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuators serve multiple functions: they act as both sensors (detecting suspension movement and vehicle attitude) and actuators (adjusting suspension stiffness). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor systems and control components, thereby improving body roll control while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensing and actuation functions into a single integrated electromagnetic ride control system. The electromagnetic actuators simultaneously detect vehicle motion and execute control actions, consolidating multiple system components into one unified system that improves body roll control without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Measurement precision
If the suspension system is adjusted based on multiple parameters, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic actuators automatically sense vehicle conditions and self-adjust suspension stiffness without requiring complex external sensor arrays or sophisticated control algorithms. The actuators inherently detect changes in vehicle attitude and motion through their electromagnetic properties and autonomously adjust to counteract body roll, improving control precision while keeping the control system relatively simple.
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
Effectively reduces body roll in vehicles by stiffening the suspension system during approaching vehicle scenarios, enhancing ride comfort and stability, particularly when stationary and exposed to high-speed or large vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension system includes an electromagnetic ride control suspension system; and the step of adjusting the suspension system includes providing an electric charge to the electronic ride control suspension system, to thereby adjust the stiffness thereof
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, methods and systems for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a control system includes: one or more first sensors configured to measure a velocity of the vehicle; one or more second sensors configured to detecting one or more additional vehicles that ae moving in relation to the vehicle; and a processor that is coupled to the first sensors and the second sensors and that is configured to provide instructions for adjusting the suspension system of the vehicle, based on the measured velocity of the vehicle and the detected one or more additional vehicles that are moving in relation to the vehicle.