Flexible Bump Sensor Calibration for Adaptive Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in optimizing performance across varying terrain and usage scenarios due to compromises in suspension settings, leading to suboptimal ride comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
An orientationally flexible bump sensor mounted at an angle relative to the ground plane, allowing for post-installation calibration to adjust signal output, and a suspension controller that dynamically adjusts damping characteristics based on sensor data to enhance ride comfort and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the bump sensor is mounted perpendicular to the ground plane, then the measurement precision is maximized, but the installation flexibility and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the calibration parameters of the bump sensor after installation based on the actual mounting orientation. The controller determines calibration parameters that map the sensor's output signals to accurate bump magnitude measurements regardless of the sensor's physical orientation on the vehicle, allowing the sensor to function accurately in any mounting position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the calibration parameters of the bump sensor to compensate for non-perpendicular mounting orientations. By adjusting the calibration parameters during or after installation, the system maintains measurement precision even when the sensor is mounted at angles other than perpendicular to the ground plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bump sensor is mounted at a non-perpendicular orientation, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the calibration parameters of the bump sensor after installation based on the actual mounting orientation. The controller determines calibration parameters that map the sensor's output signals to accurate bump magnitude measurements regardless of the sensor's physical orientation on the vehicle, allowing the sensor to function accurately in any mounting position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the calibration parameters of the bump sensor to compensate for non-perpendicular mounting orientations. By adjusting the calibration parameters during or after installation, the system maintains measurement precision even when the sensor is mounted at angles other than perpendicular to the ground plane.
3Measurement precision
If multiple bump sensors are calibrated individually, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time required for calibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the calibration process for multiple bump sensors into a single unified operation. The controller simultaneously determines calibration parameters for multiple sensors based on their respective output signals, allowing all sensors to be calibrated together rather than requiring separate calibration procedures for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of calibration parameters for multiple sensors in a single calibration event. By determining the calibration parameters for all sensors during one calibration process, the system eliminates the need for repeated calibration events that would be required if each sensor were calibrated separately.
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 provides adaptive suspension settings that improve ride comfort and performance by dynamically responding to terrain conditions, reducing installation complexity, and allowing for flexible sensor placement and calibration.
Implementation Method 1
one or more accelerometers (16) sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle body
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle (50) comprising an orientationally flexible bump sensor (35f, 35r), which orientationally flexible bump sensor comprises: at least one bump sensor mounted to said vehicle, said at least one bump sensor comprising at least two axes of measurement; and a computer processor configured to: evaluate said at least two axes of measurement to determine which axis of said at least two axes of measurement has a highest magnitude vector; determine a gain value to cause said highest magnitude vector to be approximately lg; and assign said gain value to said axis with said highest magnitude vector, such that said gain value is applied to each measurement generated by said axis with said highest magnitude vector.