Hydraulic Spring Seat Actuation for Cost-Effective Ride Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-mechanical systems for adjusting vehicle height face technical and cost challenges, limiting their effectiveness and widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic lift actuator system comprising a damper tube, sliding spring seat, support collar, lifting bracket, and hydraulic cylinder, with a lift piston rod that actuates the sliding spring seat between retracted and extended positions to adjust vehicle height, controlled by an electro-hydraulic control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electro-mechanical systems are used for adjusting vehicle height, then height adjustment functionality is achieved, but technical challenges and high costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electro-mechanical height adjustment systems with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic actuator includes a cylinder, piston, and fluid chamber that use hydraulic pressure to adjust vehicle height, eliminating complex electro-mechanical components while achieving the same height adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes electro-mechanical mechanisms with a hydraulic mechanical system. The hydraulic actuator uses fluid pressure and mechanical leverage through the piston-cylinder arrangement to achieve height adjustment, replacing motors, sensors, and control electronics with a purely hydraulic mechanical solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electro-mechanical systems are used for adjusting vehicle height, then height adjustment functionality is achieved, but high costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic technology to create a cost-effective height adjustment system. The hydraulic actuator uses readily available hydraulic components (cylinder, piston, fluid) that are generally less expensive to manufacture and assemble than electro-mechanical systems with motors and electronic controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator design uses simple, replaceable components that can be manufactured at low cost. The seal assembly and hydraulic fluid are designed as consumable parts that can be easily replaced, reducing overall system cost and maintenance expenses.
3Measurement precision
If the sliding spring seat is actuated between retracted and extended positions, then vehicle height is adjusted precisely, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator is integrated within the existing suspension assembly structure. The cylinder and piston are nested within the suspension component housing, and the sliding spring seat is part of the same assembly, eliminating the need for separate external actuation mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the height adjustment function with the existing suspension assembly. The hydraulic actuator is merged with the spring seat and damper components, creating a unified assembly where height adjustment and suspension functions work together without requiring separate complex control systems.
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 precise and efficient adjustment of vehicle height, improving energy efficiency and overcoming previous technical and cost-related limitations, allowing for customizable ride height adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder disposed adjacent and parallel to the damper tube, the hydraulic cylinder having a lift piston rod disposed at least partially within the hydraulic cylinder and extending outwardly therefrom toward the lifting bracket
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic life actuator for adjusting a height of a vehicle includes: a damper tube including a closed end; a damper rod protruding from the damper tube opposite the closed end; a sliding spring seat disposed annularly around the damper tube and configured to engage a coil spring; a support collar disposed annularly around the damper tube and fixed to the sliding spring seat, wherein the support collar is configured to translate axially relative to the damper tube; a lifting bracket connected to the support collar and protruding radially from the support collar; and a hydraulic cylinder disposed adjacent and parallel to the damper tube and having a lift piston rod disposed extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the lift piston rod is connected to the lifting bracket and configured to actuate the sliding spring seat between a retracted position and an extended position spaced apart from the closed end.