IFP Shock Stroke Sensing for Precise Suspension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems lack an efficient method to determine the stroke position of the piston and/or piston rod in shock assemblies, which is crucial for active and semi-active control systems.
Innovation Solution
The internal shock stroke sensor assembly, which includes an IFP location sensor and a processor, determines the stroke position of the piston and/or piston rod within the shock assembly, providing data for active and semi-active control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no stroke sensor is installed in the shock assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of stroke position cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The stroke sensor assembly is nested within the existing shock assembly structure, utilizing the internal space of the shock body to house the sensor components. This allows the measurement system to be integrated without adding external complexity, resolving the contradiction between achieving precise stroke position measurement and maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stroke sensor assembly serves multiple functions: it measures stroke position, provides feedback for active/semi-active control systems, and integrates with the existing shock assembly structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive measurement and control capabilities within a single integrated system.
2Manufacturing precision
If an internal stroke sensor assembly is installed, then the control precision of shock assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stroke sensor assembly is merged with the shock assembly as an integrated unit, where the sensor components are combined with the existing shock structure rather than being separate add-on elements. This merging approach achieves precise control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stroke sensor assembly acts as an intermediary between the mechanical shock components and the active/semi-active control systems, providing the necessary measurement data for precise control while maintaining a clear separation between measurement and control functions. This intermediary role enables precise control without requiring direct integration of complex control mechanisms into the shock assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal stroke sensor for an IFP shock assembly is disclosed herein. The shock assembly includes a damper chamber and a damping piston coupled to a piston shaft. The damping piston disposed in the damper chamber and axially movable relative to the damper chamber, the damping piston separating a compression portion from a rebound portion within the damper chamber. The shock assembly also includes an internal floating piston (IFP) and an IFP location sensor. The IFP location sensor to determine a position information for the IFP. A processor is configured to receive the position information for the IFP from the IFP location sensor and utilize the position information for the IFP to determine a shock stroke position of the shock assembly.