Gas Spring Control System for Ride Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems using gas springs face challenges in efficiently adjusting to varying terrain conditions, leading to uneven ride heights and potential cross-loading, which affects ride quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a processing circuit to measure gas pressure and volume in gas springs, calculates differences between target and current values, and adjusts the gas amount to maintain optimal ride height and minimize cross-loading by controlling the gas pressure and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gas spring suspension systems are used to support vehicle weight, then the suspension can provide mechanical support and basic ride comfort, but the system cannot efficiently adjust to varying terrain conditions, resulting in uneven ride heights and cross-loading
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring system transitions from a static, fixed-pressure design to a dynamic, adjustable-pressure system. The control system continuously monitors spring pressure and volume, and actively adjusts gas amounts in real-time to maintain optimal suspension characteristics under varying terrain and load conditions, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by measuring actual gas pressure and volume in the springs, comparing these measurements to target values, and automatically adjusting gas amounts to minimize deviations. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent ride height and prevents cross-loading by continuously correcting any imbalances
Solution Approach 3:
The system dynamically changes the physical parameters of the gas springs (pressure and volume) to adapt to different operating conditions. By controlling the amount of gas in each spring independently, the system can optimize suspension performance for varying terrain conditions while maintaining uniform ride heights and preventing cross-loading
2Reliability
If the gas amount in springs is fixed, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot maintain optimal ride height under varying conditions, leading to cross-loading and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring suspension system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by continuously monitoring its own state through pressure and volume sensors, and automatically correcting deviations from optimal conditions. This self-service capability maintains reliability without requiring external intervention or complex manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform: it monitors pressure, measures volume, calculates target values, controls gas flow, and adjusts suspension characteristics. This multi-functional approach achieves high reliability through active management while avoiding the complexity of separate dedicated systems for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of gas springs is used, then the system structure is simple, but it requires manual intervention and cannot respond dynamically to changing terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control. Sensors and control units monitor suspension conditions and automatically regulate gas flow to adjust spring pressure and volume, eliminating the need for manual intervention while enabling dynamic adaptation to terrain changes
Solution Approach 2:
The control system proactively adjusts gas amounts in the springs before significant deviations in ride height or loading conditions occur. By continuously monitoring parameters and making preemptive adjustments, the system maintains optimal performance and prevents problematic conditions from developing
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 effectively adjusts the suspension to maintain desired ride heights and reduce cross-loading, improving ride quality and durability by minimizing peak forces and frictional losses.
Implementation Method 1
receiving at a processing circuit a measured pressure value from a pressure sensors in a gas spring assembly
Implementation Method 2
a gas spring assembly including a gas spring
Implementation Method 3
gas spring assembly to reduce the difference value
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle suspension system includes a pump, a gas spring, and an accumulator. The suspension system also includes a controller for adjusting the suspension system. The controller has a processing circuit configured to receive a measure of gas in the spring. The processing circuit is further configured to calculate a difference between a target value and a current value based on the received measure of gas. The processing circuit is also configured to provide an output for adjusting the gas in the spring in response to the calculated difference.