Multistep Switch Damping Control for Vehicle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control suspension systems require complex sensor installations and increased vehicle costs to control damping force, limiting the ability to change damping force during driving and compromising between ride comfort and driving stability, especially in emergency or abnormal driving states.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control suspension apparatus with a multistep switch that allows drivers to adjust damping force by selecting between hard and soft steps, using an electronic control unit to control the solenoid valve based on driver input and vehicle behavior information, automatically switching back to the driver's preferred setting after a certain time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed to enable continuous damping force control according to vehicle body behavior, then damping force control capability is improved, but device complexity and vehicle cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex sensor system from the suspension control apparatus. Instead of using multiple sensors (wheel-G sensors, body-G sensors) to detect vehicle behavior, the invention uses a simple multistep switch to directly receive driver input for damping force adjustment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The driver themselves becomes the source of control input through the multistep switch, eliminating the need for complex sensor systems to detect vehicle behavior. The driver's manual selection via the switch directly determines the damping force level, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Ease of operation
If damping force is set to soft mode to improve ride comfort, then ride comfort is improved, but driving stability deteriorates in emergency states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic damping force control system where the damping force level can be changed in real-time during driving through the multistep switch. The system provides five different damping force levels (first to fifth levels) that allow the driver to dynamically adjust between soft mode for ride comfort and hard mode for driving stability based on current driving conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the damping force parameter by applying different current amounts to the solenoid valve based on the multistep switch position. The electronic control unit stores multiple current amounts corresponding to different damping force levels, allowing the driver to select between soft and hard damping characteristics by simply manipulating the switch
3Manufacturing precision
If damping force adjustment requires vehicle placement on maintenance lift, then precise adjustment is possible, but ease of operation during driving is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static damping force adjustment (requiring vehicle lift) into a dynamic adjustment system that can be performed during driving. The multistep switch is disposed in the vehicle interior, allowing the driver to adjust damping force in real-time without any external equipment or vehicle positioning requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The multistep switch serves as an intermediary device that enables the driver to control damping force adjustment from within the vehicle. This intermediary mechanism translates the driver's manual input into corresponding damping force changes, eliminating the need for direct physical access to the damper mechanism
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 real-time adjustment of damping force during driving to prioritize either ride comfort or driving stability, optimizing handling performance and reducing vehicle costs by eliminating the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a damping force of a damper according to a current amount, to be applied to a solenoid valve
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electronic control suspension apparatus and a damping force controlling method thereof, which are capable of changing a damping force of a damper by just manipulating a multistep switch even during driving. The electronic control suspension apparatus for controlling a damping force of a damper installed at each of a front wheel and a rear wheel includes: a multistep switch disposed in a vehicle and configured to change the damping force of the damper in a multistep manner between a hard step and a soft step; and an electronic control unit configured to control the damping force of the damper according to a current amount corresponding to a step selected from the multistep switch, the current amount to be applied to a solenoid valve being preset for each step of the multistep switch.