Reactive Controller Mode Switching for Active Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active and partially-active vehicle suspension systems face challenges in accurately compensating for uneven road conditions due to measurement errors in sensor data, leading to potential vehicle destabilization and compromised driving comfort and safety, especially with reactive controllers acting too fast or sluggishly.
Innovation Solution
A method that switches a reactive controller from a first to a second operating mode with increased bandwidth and amplification based on user control commands, such as braking or speed changes, to quickly respond to uneven road surfaces without requiring additional sensor systems, thereby enhancing driving comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a reactive controller is adjusted with high bandwidth and amplification to compensate for uneven places quickly, then the compensation speed improves, but the controller acts adversely on driving behavior and cannot achieve complete adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the controller's operating mode changeable based on detected control situations. The reactive controller dynamically switches between first and second operating modes depending on whether a control situation is detected, allowing optimal performance characteristics for each operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bandwidth and amplification parameters of the reactive controller based on the detected control situation. When a control situation is detected, the controller switches to a second operating mode with increased bandwidth and amplification, otherwise it operates in a first mode with lower parameters, thus adapting the system characteristics to the current driving conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If a proactive control method uses sensor data to adjust suspension in advance, then complete compensation of uneven places is achieved, but measurement errors cause incorrect suspension adjustment and vehicle destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control situation detection mechanism as an intermediary between the proactive control system and the reactive controller. This intermediary evaluates driving signals to determine whether to activate the fast-reacting second operating mode, thereby mediating between the potentially erroneous proactive control data and the actual suspension adjustment action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting control situations in advance and only then activating the high-bandwidth reactive controller. This preliminary detection prevents incorrect suspension adjustments by ensuring the fast-reacting controller is only activated when appropriate, counteracting the potential harmful effects of measurement errors in proactive control data.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensor systems are installed to detect roadway height profile for situation detection, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing control commands (braking, acceleration, steering) for multiple purposes: their primary function for vehicle control and additionally as indicators for detecting control situations related to upcoming uneven places. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the existing vehicle control systems serve the additional function of detecting control situations. The control commands generated by the driver for steering, braking, or acceleration automatically provide information about upcoming road conditions, allowing the system to detect situations without external assistance or additional sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an operating mode of a controller for at least one suspension component of an at least partially active suspension of a vehicle. In accordance with at least one control command provided by a user for steering the vehicle, a situation detection is carried out to detect a control situation in which the at least one suspension component of the suspension which should be at least partially actively controlled, can be potentially controlled, and in the event that a control situation is detected, at least one reactive controller for controlling the at least one suspension component is switched from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, the at least one reactive controller being switched into the second operating mode with an increased bandwidth and amplification when compared with the first operating mode.