Electromagnetic Suspension Unit for Vehicle Seat Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat and cabin suspension systems are complex and prone to faults, which can lead to reduced driving comfort and increased fatigue for commercial vehicle drivers, particularly in agricultural applications.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetically acting damping and height-adjusting unit is integrated between the suspension components, providing both vibration isolation and height regulation, allowing for active modulation of damping forces and simplified structural implementation using a scissor frame and electromagnetically operated actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional damping elements and height-adjusting devices are used separately, then vibration isolation and height adjustment functions are achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension system reliabilityVSAvoidsuspension system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the damping device and height-adjusting device into a single integrated unit. The damping device includes a piston rod that serves dual functions: providing vibration damping through hydraulic shock absorbers and enabling height adjustment through an integrated actuator. This merging eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both vibration isolation and height adjustment functions, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs vibration damping and height adjustment. The piston rod acts as both a damping element connector and a height-adjustment actuator interface. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple suspension functions, reducing the total component count and simplifying the suspension system structure while enhancing reliability through fewer potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used for damping and height adjustment, then functional requirements are met, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension system assemblyVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device and height-adjusting device are merged into a single integrated assembly where the piston rod serves dual purposes. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process. The integrated design allows for fewer assembly steps and reduced inventory requirements, directly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining both damping and height adjustment functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional suspension systems are used, then basic vibration isolation is provided, but driving comfort deteriorates due to fatigue from vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration impact on driverVSAvoiddriving comfort reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system incorporates an actively controllable damping device with a piston rod that can dynamically adjust its damping characteristics. The integrated height-adjusting actuator allows real-time modification of suspension stiffness and damping forces based on driving conditions. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize vibration isolation performance continuously, reducing the harmful effects of vibrations on the driver and preventing fatigue, thereby improving driving comfort reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damping device includes sensors and control systems that monitor suspension performance and driver position in real-time. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts damping forces and height to maintain optimal vibration isolation. This closed-loop control ensures consistent protection against vibration-induced fatigue, enhancing driving comfort reliability while minimizing the harmful effects of road vibrations on the driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enhances driving comfort by actively isolating vibrations and adjusting height, reducing the risk of fatigue and simplifying the suspension system, making it less susceptible to faults and more efficient, while maintaining a low component count.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetically acting damping and height-adjusting unit, which is arranged between the two end parts in such a way that it has both vibration-isolating and height-regulating effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

upper closure part and a lower closure part that can be deflected relative to the upper closure part, which are operatively connected to one another in a resilient manner by means of a suspension element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3052833B1Vehicle seat or vehicle cab with a suspension system, and utility vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 GRAMMER AG
  • EP3052833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3052833B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3052833B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat or a vehicle cab with a suspension system (2) comprising an upper closing part (3) and a lower closing part (4) which is deflectable in relation to the upper closing part (3), which closing parts are operatively connected to each other in a resilient manner by means of a suspension element (19, 20), and with a damping system (25) for damping vibrations acting on at least one of the two closing parts (3, 4), wherein an electromagnetically acting damping and height-levelling unit (30) is provided which is arranged between the two closing parts (3, 4) in such a manner that said damping and height-levelling unit (30) acts on the upper of the two closing parts (3, 4) in the vertical direction (21) of the vehicle both in a vibration-insulating and also height-levelling manner.