Contactless Gap Sensors for Chassis Position Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for regulating a motor vehicle's chassis position are complex, requiring multiple sensors and resulting in high hardware and software expenditure, complexity, and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing at least three contactless gap sensors with send/receive units and beam splitters for simultaneous displacement measurements in different directions, reducing complexity and error while enabling precise position regulation and adaptive damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple different types of sensors are used to measure various vehicle motions, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using identical gap sensors for multiple measurement purposes. Each gap sensor measures both the distance to the ground (for body motion detection) and the distance to the wheel rim (for suspension motion detection), replacing the need for different sensor types. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement reliability while significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple sensors into a single sensor type. By combining ground distance measurement and wheel rim distance measurement capabilities into one gap sensor, the system eliminates the need for separate displacement sensors, angle sensors, and power sensors, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed at each suspension strut to measure various motions, then measurement precision is improved, but hardware expenditure and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gap sensor is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously. By measuring both vertical distance to the ground and horizontal distance to the wheel rim, a single sensor provides the data needed to calculate body motions and suspension motions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensors at each suspension strut.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor arrangements with a simplified electromagnetic measurement system. Using contactless gap sensors based on electromagnetic fields eliminates the need for mechanical linkages, multiple sensor mounts, and complex signal processing hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If various types of sensors with different measurement principles are used, then adaptability to different measurement tasks is improved, but device complexity and error possibilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gap sensor serves as a universal measurement device that can adapt to different measurement tasks through software processing. The same hardware sensor measures both body motion and suspension motion by targeting different objects (ground or wheel rim), providing versatile measurement capability without requiring different sensor types for different applications.
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 achieves reduced complexity and cost, improved reliability, and precise chassis regulation with adaptive damping, capable of handling static and dynamic conditions, and detecting vehicle component aging.
Implementation Method 1
at least two displacement measurements are carried out in different measuring directions via a gap sensor, which works in contactless fashion
Implementation Method 2
The radiation may also be switched to be staggered in time
Data Source
AI summary
A system for regulating the position of a chassis of a motor vehicle has actuators which are to be set via actuating signals of a regulating and control unit, the position of the chassis or a part of the chassis being recorded via a gap sensor, and an adjustment is carried out via the actuators in case the measured sensor signals of the gap sensor deviate from specified setpoint values. On the vehicle's underside, at least three displacement measuring sensor device are located at positions that are at a distance from one another, each sensor device having a gap sensor that works in a contactless manner, via which at least two displacement measurements are able to be carried out in different directions.