Hydraulic Actuator for Continuous Ride Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in achieving a compromise between ride comfort and handling, as they often require tuning that sacrifices one objective for the other, and lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting ride height to accommodate varying vehicle purposes and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuator assembly with a concentrically arranged piston and sleeve, configured to receive pressurized fluid, allowing for infinitely variable positioning and adjustment of the vehicle's ride height through a system of channels and sealing elements, controlled by a controller and valves to manage fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a suspension system is tuned for enhanced operator control and road-holding, then handling performance is improved, but ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system employs adjustable ride height capability that allows dynamic reconfiguration of suspension geometry. The actuator assembly enables continuous adjustment of the distance between the road wheel and vehicle body, transforming a static suspension into a dynamic system that can adapt its characteristics based on operating conditions, thereby resolving the fixed trade-off between handling and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a suspension system is tuned for improved ride comfort, then comfort is improved, but handling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable ride height mechanism allows the suspension to dynamically change its geometry. By continuously adjusting the actuator position, the system can modify suspension characteristics to prioritize comfort when needed while maintaining handling capability, eliminating the need to permanently sacrifice handling performance for comfort improvement.
3Device complexity
If fixed suspension geometry is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates an adjustable ride height mechanism with a hydraulic actuator that enables continuous geometric reconfiguration. This dynamic capability allows the simple fixed-geometry suspension to be transformed into an adaptive system that can optimize its geometry for different driving conditions without requiring multiple complex suspension systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system includes sensors that automatically detect road conditions and vehicle state, and the controller automatically adjusts the actuator position based on this information. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to different driving conditions automatically without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable ride height mechanism is added, then adaptability to different driving conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is nested within the existing suspension structure, with the piston positioned within the actuator housing and the road wheel positioned within the suspension assembly. This nested configuration allows the adjustable ride height mechanism to be integrated into the existing suspension geometry without requiring a complete redesign of the suspension system, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables continuous and precise adjustment of the vehicle's ride height, improving both ride comfort and handling by allowing for real-time adaptation to different driving conditions and road surfaces, thereby enhancing overall vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator assembly configured to receive pressurized fluid from a pump of the vehicle suspension system. The hydraulic actuator assembly includes a housing and a piston arranged concentrically with respect to a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing is configured to receive a first portion of the pressurized fluid to displace or translate the piston relative to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a sleeve arranged concentrically with respect to the housing and to the piston, and configured to restrain the piston relative to the housing and receive a second portion of the pressurized fluid from the pump to selectively release the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic actuator assembly is configured to receive a pressurized fluid from a pump. The hydraulic actuator assembly includes a housing and a piston arranged concentrically with respect to a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing is configured to receive a first portion of the pressurized fluid to displace the piston relative to the housing. The hydraulic actuator assembly also includes a sleeve arranged concentrically with respect to the housing and to the piston, and configured to restrain the piston relative to the housing and receive a second portion of the pressurized fluid from the pump to selectively release the piston. A vehicle including a suspension corner connecting the vehicle's road wheel to the vehicle's body, the fluid pump, and the subject hydraulic actuator assembly to change the vehicle's ride height at the suspension corner is also disclosed. The vehicle may also include a controller configured to control the actuator assembly.