Front Axle Load Estimation for Adaptive Vehicle Body Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body control systems do not effectively account for varying front axle loads, which can affect vehicle pitch inertia and load distribution, leading to suboptimal body control and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The system generates front load estimates based on sensor data and vehicle velocity to adjust the viscous damping coefficients of the suspension system, using these estimates to modify body control outputs and improve damping characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing vehicle body control systems are used without front load estimation, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but body control accuracy and vehicle stability deteriorate due to inability to account for front axle load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces front load estimation as an intermediary calculation that bridges the gap between existing sensor data and body control requirements. The estimator uses readily available sensor measurements (accelerometer data, suspension travel) to compute front axle load information without requiring direct front axle load sensors, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of additional hardware installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for direct mechanical load sensing on the front axle with a computational estimation system. Instead of installing physical load cells or force sensors on the front suspension, the system uses mathematical models and processing of existing sensor data to estimate front load, substituting mechanical measurement with computational analysis
2Stability of the object's composition
If front load estimates are integrated into body control systems, then vehicle stability and comfort are improved through accurate load accounting, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing sensor system and control architecture perform multiple functions. The same accelerometers and suspension sensors used for basic ride control are also utilized for front load estimation, and the body control algorithm is enhanced to handle both traditional body attitude control and front load compensation, thereby improving vehicle stability without proportionally increasing hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the front load estimation functionality with the existing body control algorithm. Rather than creating a separate control loop for front load management, the estimation is integrated into the unified body control processing, allowing simultaneous optimization of body attitude and front load effects. This combining approach improves vehicle stability while minimizing the increase in processing complexity
3Measurement precision
If sensor data filtering is applied to generate load values, then measurement accuracy is improved, but response time may be reduced due to processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies selective filtering to the sensor data, using filtering techniques appropriate for the specific measurement requirements. Rather than applying aggressive filtering that would significantly delay response, the system uses moderate filtering that provides sufficient noise reduction for accurate load estimation while maintaining adequate temporal response characteristics for dynamic vehicle control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the filtering parameters based on operating conditions and control requirements. The filter characteristics (such as time constants or cutoff frequencies) are tuned to balance measurement precision and response speed, allowing the system to achieve accurate load values without excessive processing delay that would compromise dynamic response
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to use front load estimates for body control are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes memory including stored instructions, and a processor to execute the instructions to filter sensor data to generate a first load value, the first load value associated with a first load on a front axle of a vehicle, generate, based on the first load value and a velocity of the vehicle, a first body control adjustment value, modify a body control output value with the first body control adjustment value, and apply the modified body control output value to a suspension system of the vehicle.