Hydraulic Suspension Floating Axle Lock via Spool Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic suspension systems for vehicles, especially those operating on slopes, suffer from lack of responsiveness and overcorrection, leading to instability and tipping issues due to non-overlapping support zones that change with uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic suspension system with a spool valve mechanism that automatically locks the front axle when a rear wheel becomes unweighted, creating a new support zone that overlaps with the original, ensuring the center of gravity remains within a stable area, combining the stability of a locked axle with the ride quality of a floating axle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a floating axle configuration is used to improve ride quality, then the vehicle can adapt to uneven terrain, but the support zone does not overlap and the vehicle becomes vulnerable to tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between floating axle mode (for ride quality) and locked axle mode (for stability) based on operating conditions. The spool valve mechanism allows the front axle to transition between these two states, enabling the system to adapt to different terrain and load conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between ride comfort and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the front axle from floating to locked by altering the hydraulic fluid flow path through the spool valve. This parameter change allows the axle to provide either smooth movement (floating) or rigid support (locked), thereby achieving both ride quality and stability as needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locked axle configuration is used to provide a stable support base, then the vehicle has four support points, but the vehicle lacks responsiveness and can overcorrect on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the spool valve to dynamically control the hydraulic circuit, allowing the front axle to switch between locked (stable) and floating (responsive) states. This dynamic control enables the vehicle to maintain stability when needed while preserving responsiveness for adapting to uneven terrain, resolving the contradiction between stability and responsiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support zone changes with uneven terrain, then the vehicle adapts to terrain variations, but the support zones do not overlap and tipping occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a control mechanism that monitors the position and load on the front axle, and through the spool valve, adjusts the axle state accordingly. This feedback control ensures that the support zone transitions smoothly and maintains overlap with the rear support points, preventing tipping while adapting to terrain changes.
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 provides enhanced stability and prevents tipping by automatically adjusting the support zone to maintain the center of gravity within a stable area, even on uneven terrain, while maintaining the benefits of both floating and locked axle configurations.
Implementation Method 1
When the spring force is overcome by hydraulic fluid pressure, the spool slides and the valve closes and flow stops
Implementation Method 2
The fluid flow may also be locked so that the virtual front axle does not float
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic cylinders may be extended or retracted to raise or lower the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
The front and rear hydraulic cylinder on each side of the vehicle are in a master-slave relationship with the rear cylinders extending and retracting so as to follow the front cylinders
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a vehicle includes a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel and a left rear wheel. A suspension system for the vehicle includes a first cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right front wheel in fluid communication with a second cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left front wheel, wherein the first and second cylinders form a virtual articulated front axle. The suspension system also includes a third cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right rear wheel and a fourth cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left rear wheel. The suspension system includes two spool valves in fluid communication with the first and second cylinders and intermediate the first and second cylinders. When one of the rear wheels is unweighted, an associate one of the spool valves closes and fluid flow between the first and second cylinders is blocked to create a virtual locked axle.