Fluid Spring Volume Segmentation for Rapid Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vehicles, such as vehicle seats and wheel suspensions, struggle to adapt quickly to changing conditions, limiting their ability to provide optimal comfort and vibration reduction.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an additional fluid volume device with multiple fluid volume chambers that can be fluidically connected or separated, allowing for pressure modulation and adjustment of the fluid spring, enabling quicker adaptation to changing conditions and diverse operational settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single-chamber fluid volume system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptation speed to changing conditions is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid volume device is segmented into multiple chambers (first fluid volume chamber and second fluid volume chamber) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different chambers to respond to different operating conditions, thereby increasing the overall adaptation speed of the fluid spring without significantly complicating the device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid volume chambers are added, then the adaptability to different conditions improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple fluid volume chambers that can be independently adjusted to suit different operating conditions. Each chamber can be fluidically connected or separated via controllable connections, providing versatile operational settings while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple fluid volume chambers serve multiple functions: they can independently adjust fluid volume, modulate pressure, and adapt to different suspension conditions. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Speed
If fluid volume is rapidly adjusted, then the response to vehicle movements improves, but the adjustment forces required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fluid volume into multiple chambers, the adjustment process can be distributed across chambers. This allows for staged volume adjustments that can be performed more rapidly with lower instantaneous forces compared to adjusting a single large-volume chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable connections between chambers act as intermediaries that facilitate gradual fluid transfer. This intermediary mechanism allows fluid volume to be adjusted rapidly through controlled flow paths, reducing the peak adjustment forces required compared to direct compression or expansion of a single chamber.
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 allows for rapid adaptation to changing conditions, reducing adjustment forces, and enhancing the sensitivity of the fluid spring to vehicle movements, thereby improving suspension comfort and vibration reduction without the need for external air supply or discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid spring (3) arranged between the mass (2) and the frame (4) in such a way that the mass (2) is spring-mounted and/or damped on the frame (4)
Implementation Method 2
an additional fluid volume device (5) for providing an additional fluid volume (6) for the fluid spring (3), the additional fluid volume device (5) having at least two fluid volume chambers (12, 13)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The device (1) has a fluid spring (3) arranged between a mass (2) and a frame (4) i.e. vehicle body's bottom plate, such that the mass is mounted on the frame in a damped manner. An additional fluid volume device (5) i.e. two-chamber-cylinder (19) provides additional fluid volume (6) for the spring. The additional fluid volume device comprises two fluid volume chambers (12, 13), which are fluidically connected to one another. The chambers have a common, displaceable chamber wall (16). The chambers are adjustable regarding to the fluid volume, and separated by a controllable piston (17). An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting and/or operating a fluid spring.