Controllable Friction MR Damper for Vehicle Roll Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle roll control systems are complex and costly, often increasing suspension harshness and system complexity, and require additional actuators to effectively manage vehicle roll during cornering.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses controllable friction-force dampers at the vehicle's wheels, controlled by a lateral acceleration sensor, steering angle sensor, and speed sensor to calculate and apply current control signals, reducing vehicle roll by managing the friction-force of inside, outside, or both dampers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active or semi-active roll control systems are used to reduce vehicle roll, then vehicle stability and comfort are improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to hydraulic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic active roll control systems with a passive friction-based roll control system using MR dampers. The magnetorheological damper utilizes controllable friction force generated by magnetorheological fluid to provide roll resistance, eliminating the need for hydraulic actuators and complex mechanical control systems while maintaining vehicle stability improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The MR damper provides self-adjusting friction force based on lateral acceleration conditions. The magnetorheological fluid automatically changes its friction characteristics in response to applied magnetic fields during cornering, enabling the system to control vehicle roll without external hydraulic assistance or complex control mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If passive anti-roll bar is used to reduce vehicle roll without complex hydraulic system, then system complexity is reduced, but suspension harshness increases by transmitting road disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The MR damper provides dynamically adjustable friction force that adapts to different driving conditions. During normal driving, the damper operates in a low-friction state to allow smooth suspension movement and absorb road disturbances. During cornering, the friction force increases to provide roll control, creating a dynamic system that serves multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction force parameter of the damper based on lateral acceleration conditions. By adjusting the magnetic field strength applied to the magnetorheological fluid, the friction force is increased during cornering to control roll motion, and reduced during normal driving to maintain suspension comfort and isolate road disturbances.
3Reliability
If magnetorheological actuators are used to engage anti-roll bars, then roll control is achieved only when needed, but additional actuators increase system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The MR damper serves multiple functions: it acts as both a suspension damper for isolating road disturbances and a roll control device during cornering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuators and anti-roll bar systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining roll control effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the suspension damping function and the roll control function into a single MR damper component. By integrating both functions into one device using magnetorheological fluid, the system eliminates the need for separate hydraulic actuators and anti-roll bar mechanisms that would otherwise be required.
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
This approach effectively reduces vehicle roll without increasing system complexity or cost, providing improved comfort and stability by eliminating or partially reducing roll motion based on vehicle speed and turning conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The system uses controllable friction-force dampers at the vehicle's wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing vehicle roll control that controls the friction-force of dampers provided at the wheels of the vehicle. The system includes a lateral acceleration sensor for determining the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor for determining the steering angle of the vehicle and a speed sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle. The system calculates a current control signal for one or more of the dampers based on the lateral acceleration and/or the steering angle, and uses one or both of the current control signals to control the friction-force of the inside, outside or both of the dampers.