Reactive Fiber Stiffness Control in Vehicle Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle technologies fail to effectively manage stiffness and vibrations across various physical situations, particularly at extreme conditions or high speeds, which affects the comfort and structural integrity of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle device comprising a fiber device with conductive and reactive fibers electrically connected to a control unit that adjusts stiffness by applying voltage, generating electrical energy through piezo or triboelectric effects, and utilizing movement sensors to optimize stiffness based on real-time vehicle data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a fixed stiffness body component, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the comfort and performance at extreme conditions or high speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The body component transitions from a fixed stiffness structure to a dynamic, adjustable stiffness structure through the integration of fiber devices that can change their mechanical properties in real-time based on vehicle operating conditions, enabling the component to adapt between different stiffness states
Solution Approach 2:
The body component is constructed as a composite structure combining traditional body material with fiber devices (such as piezoelectric or shape memory fibers), creating a multi-material system that provides both structural integrity and adjustable stiffness characteristics
2Reliability
If the vehicle increases body component stiffness to reduce vibrations, then the structural stability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber devices within the body component are capable of self-actuation through piezoelectric or shape memory effects, where mechanical deformation or electrical stimuli from the vehicle's operational environment directly trigger stiffness changes without requiring continuous external power input, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the physical parameters of the body component (specifically stiffness and damping characteristics) based on real-time sensor feedback about vehicle motion and environmental conditions, optimizing vibration resistance only when and where needed rather than maintaining high stiffness continuously
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle uses reactive fibers to dynamically adjust stiffness, then the comfort at high speeds improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system utilizes feedback from motion sensors and other vehicle systems to continuously monitor operating conditions and automatically adjust fiber device activation, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes comfort without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms
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 enhances the vehicle's stiffness and reduces vibrations, improving noise behavior and comfort by dynamically adjusting torsional stiffness in response to environmental conditions and movements.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber device is set up to generate the electrical energy by a piezo effect or by a triboelectric effect
Implementation Method 2
The fiber device is set up to generate the electrical energy by a piezo effect or by a triboelectric effect
Implementation Method 3
the fibers are formed as reactive fibers. They can alter their stiffness upon the application of a voltage is applied or upon the flowing of a current
Implementation Method 4
the fibers are formed as reactive fibers. They can alter their stiffness upon the application of a voltage is applied or upon the flowing of a current
Data Source
AI summary
A device for a vehicle including a body component and a control device. The body component includes a fiber device having fibers and being electrically connected to the control device. The fibers are formed as conductive, reactive fibers, which fiber device is set up to convert deformation of the body component into electrical energy. The control device is configured to apply a first voltage to at least a portion of the fibers in order to cause a change in the stiffness of the fibers.