Hydropneumatic Suspension with Solenoid Valve Roll Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydropneumatic suspension systems for tilting motor vehicles face issues with stability and comfort, particularly at low speeds, due to the lack of independent suspension when the roll lock function is activated, leading to compromised vehicle stability and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A hydropneumatic suspension device with right and left shock absorbers interconnected by a hydraulic circuit, featuring solenoid valves and non-return means that allow fluid circulation in opposite directions, enabling independent wheel suspension and roll blocking only when necessary, thereby maintaining vertical suspension independence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a single central shock absorber with roll lock function is used, then roll locking is achieved when stationary, but vertical suspension is blocked and wheel independence is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll lockingVSAvoidvertical suspension
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the single central shock absorber into two independent shock absorbers (right and left), each with its own accumulator and solenoid valve. This segmentation allows independent control of each wheel's suspension while enabling selective roll locking through the hydraulic circuit connection between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid valves dynamically control the hydraulic circuit connection between the right and left shock absorbers. When solenoid valves are closed, the hydraulic connection is blocked for roll locking; when open, the connection is restored for normal suspension operation, allowing dynamic switching between modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the roll lock function is activated at low speed, then roll stability is improved, but vehicle comfort is compromised due to blocked suspension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll stabilityVSAvoidvehicle comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between roll locking and suspension modes based on vehicle speed and steering angle. At low speeds with large steering angles, roll locking is activated; otherwise, normal suspension operation is maintained, optimizing both stability and comfort for different driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (solenoid valve states) based on driving conditions. The control means monitors vehicle speed and steering angle to determine when to activate roll locking versus when to maintain comfort-oriented suspension operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical components with joints and complex kinematics are used, then wheel connection is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel connectionVSAvoidmechanical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with joints and kinematic connections with a hydraulic system. The hydraulic circuit with solenoid valves controls the connection and disconnection of the hydraulic accumulators, achieving wheel interconnection and roll locking without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic accumulators connected via a hydraulic circuit to link the right and left shock absorbers. This hydraulic connection provides the necessary wheel interconnection for roll stability without requiring complex mechanical structures, reducing overall system complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution provides improved stability and comfort by allowing independent wheel suspension while preventing roll when stationary or at excessive inclination, ensuring the vehicle remains stable and comfortable across various driving conditions.

Implementation Method 1

interconnected by a circuit hydraulic driven by means of control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic circuit: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

first and second solenoid valves associated respectively with first and second non-return means authorizing fluid circulations (hydraulic) according to opposite directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid valve actuation: Solenoid

Implementation Method 3

first and second solenoid valves associated respectively with first and second non-return means authorizing fluid circulations (hydraulic) according to opposite directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-return valve: Valve

Implementation Method 4

right and left shock absorbers coupled respectively to the right and left wheels and interconnected by a circuit hydraulic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydropneumatic suspension: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3106375B1Hydropneumatic suspension device for a tiltable motor vehicle, having solenoid valves with states according to the tilt
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3106375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3106375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3106375B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A hydropneumatic suspension system (DS) is fitted to a tilting motor vehicle (V) having a suspension (TV) with right (RD) and left (RG) wheels. This system (DS) includes right (AMD) and left (AMG) shock absorbers coupled to the right (RD) and left (RG) wheels and communicating with right (ACD) and left (ACG) accumulators, a hydraulic circuit coupling the right (AMD) and left (AMG) shock absorbers and including first (EV1) and second (EV2) solenoid valves, and control means (MCT) arranged to place the solenoid valves (EV1-EV2) in respective open, closed or partially open states depending on the tilt of the vehicle (V).