Recuperating Passive and Active Suspension via Hydraulic Integration
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust vehicle height and handle static load changes effectively, which affects vehicle stability and comfort during maneuvering and road irregularities.
Innovation Solution
An active suspension system integrated with a leveling system that utilizes fluid pressure to adjust the vehicle's height, allowing for real-time changes in vehicle attitude and load compensation through hydraulic actuators and fluid chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional passive suspension system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot dynamically adjust height or handle static load changes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the active suspension system and leveling system into a single integrated hydraulic system. The active suspension hydraulic actuators and leveling system share common hydraulic components including the hydraulic pump, fluid reservoir, control valves, and hydraulic fluid, allowing the system to achieve dynamic height adjustment capability while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic components serve multiple functions: the hydraulic actuators provide both active suspension damping control and vehicle height adjustment, while the fluid reservoir and pump serve both active suspension and leveling system needs. This multi-functionality enables adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity
2Reliability
If hydraulic actuators are used to absorb vibration, then vibration damping performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers energy from the hydraulic actuators during vibration damping operations. The hydraulic pump utilizes the energy from piston movement during compression and rebound cycles to generate hydraulic pressure that is stored in the fluid reservoir, converting what would be wasted energy into useful hydraulic energy for subsequent leveling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers hydraulic energy that would otherwise be dissipated during active suspension operation. The fluid reservoir captures and stores hydraulic pressure generated during vibration damping cycles, allowing this recovered energy to be reused for vehicle leveling, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
3Reliability
If the piston restricts damping fluid flow to generate damping force, then vibration counteraction is improved, but the system cannot handle static load changes
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two functional pathways: one for dynamic vibration damping through piston movement with restricted fluid flow, and another for static load handling through direct hydraulic pressure application to the fluid reservoir. This segmentation allows each pathway to optimize its function while sharing common hydraulic components
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid reservoir acts as an intermediary between the active suspension hydraulic actuators and the leveling system. It receives and stores hydraulic pressure from the suspension actuators during vibration damping, then releases this pressure for vehicle leveling, enabling the system to handle both dynamic vibration counteraction and static load changes
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
Enhances vehicle stability and comfort by enabling dynamic height adjustment and efficient load handling, reducing energy consumption and improving roll control performance.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic actuators, such as shock absorbers and/or struts, are used in conjunction with conventional passive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibration which occurs during driving. The piston is able to restrict the flow of damping fluid within the working chamber of the hydraulic actuator when the piston is displaced within the pressure cylinder, the hydraulic actuator is able to produce a damping force which counteracts the vibration of the suspension.
Implementation Method 2
The fluid pressure used to control the active suspension system is provided to the leveling system to change the height of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile includes an active suspension system and a leveling system. The leveling system receives high pressure fluid from the active suspension system in order to change static vehicle height and compensate for static load changes.