Semi-Active Steering Damper for Two-Wheeled Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering dampers in two-wheeled vehicles are inadequate in effectively damping both the wobble and weave vibration modes, especially at high speeds, as high damping coefficients that attenuate wobble resonances amplify weave resonances, making them difficult to control and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an electronically adjustable semi-active steering damper that dynamically adjusts the damping coefficient based on yaw rate and steering speed, using control algorithms to selectively apply maximum or minimum damping depending on the frequency of oscillations, thereby effectively damping both wobble and weave modes across various speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high damping coefficient is used in the steering damper, then the wobble mode (high frequency oscillation) is effectively damped, but the weave mode (low frequency oscillation) is amplified, making the vehicle difficult to control at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a semi-active steering damper with a dynamically adjustable damping coefficient that can switch between different damping levels based on operating conditions. The control system monitors vehicle speed and steering angular velocity, and adjusts the damping coefficient in real-time to optimize performance across different frequency ranges, resolving the contradiction between damping high-frequency wobble and avoiding low-frequency weave amplification
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the damping parameter of the steering damper based on vehicle operating conditions. By detecting vehicle speed and steering angular velocity, the control system selects appropriate damping coefficients from predefined sets, allowing the system to adapt to different frequency characteristics of vibration modes at different speeds, thus simultaneously addressing both wobble and weave mode control requirements
2Device complexity
If a passive steering damper with predetermined damping coefficient is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot effectively damp both wobble and weave modes across different speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a passive fixed-damping system to a semi-active dynamic damping system. The steering damper incorporates an actuator controlled by a control unit that adjusts the damping coefficient in real-time based on vehicle speed and steering angular velocity feedback, enabling the system to adapt to varying vibration mode characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors vehicle operating conditions through sensors and autonomously adjusts the damping coefficient without requiring driver intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting vibration modes and selecting appropriate damping levels, providing adaptive performance while keeping the user interface simple and the control logic automated
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 method ensures excellent damping performance for both low and high-speed vibration modes, effectively attenuating wobble and weave resonances, enhancing vehicle stability and safety by optimizing damping coefficients in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
the steering damper generally used in two-wheeled vehicles mainly has the task of damping the wobble mode making it possible to make the vibration modes associated with it very damped
Implementation Method 2
steering dampers which can be electronically adjusted, of which one particular type are the semi-active steering dampers, that make it possible to adjust the steering torque instantaneously
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for controlling an electronically adjustable steering damper in a two-wheeled vehicle or motor vehicle, and to an apparatus implementing it, in which the steering damper is able to exert a damping torque on a steering assembly (45) of the two-wheeled vehicle (40) that can be adjusted according to a steering speed (sδ). The control method comprises the steps of calculating an instantaneous damping coefficient ( cin(t) ) of the electronically adjustable steering damper based on the at least one controlled variable (sΨ, sδ) and is characterized in that the at least one controlled variable comprises a yaw rate (sΨ) of the two-wheeled vehicle. Correspondingly, the control apparatus comprises processing means connected to at least one measuring means being suitable for calculating an instantaneous damping coefficient value ( cin(t)) of the steering damper and is characterized in that at least one measuring means comprises a means for measuring a yaw rate ( sΨ) of the two-wheeled vehicle (40) and/or a means for measuring a steering angle (sδ).