Snowmobile Front Suspension Sensing for Active Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uncoupled rear suspension assemblies in snowmobiles complicate the determination of shock absorber piston movement due to independent movement of front and rear portions, making active control of suspension damping challenging.
Innovation Solution
Employing two sensors to measure the angular position and velocity of the front and rear suspension arms, allowing determination of shock absorber stroke and piston velocity, and a controller to adjust damping based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uncoupled rear suspension geometry is used to allow independent movement of front and rear suspension components, then the suspension can better handle bumps independently, but sensors cannot accurately determine piston movement and position for active damping control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational approach: instead of directly sensing piston movement, the system uses sensors to measure angular positions of suspension arms and calculates piston stroke and velocity through mathematical relationships. This intermediary calculation bridge allows the uncoupled suspension geometry to maintain its independent movement capability while still providing accurate data for active damping control.
2Ease of operation
If active control of suspension damping is implemented to improve ride quality, then damping can be adjusted based on real-time conditions, but the system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the same angular position sensors to serve multiple purposes: determining piston stroke, calculating piston velocity, and providing data for active damping control. This universal use of sensors reduces system complexity compared to having separate sensors for each measurement, making the active control system more practical while maintaining improved ride quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A snowmobile including a right front suspension assembly and a left front suspension assembly, each of the left and right front suspension assembly including: a ski leg; an upper A-arm and a lower A-arm, the upper and lower A-arms being connected between the ski leg and the chassis; and a shock absorber connected between one of the upper and lower A-arms and the chassis; a first sensor connected between one of the upper and lower A-arms of the right front suspension assembly and the chassis to measure the angle therebetween; a second sensor connected between one of the upper and lower A-arms of the left front suspension assembly and the chassis to measure the angle therebetween; and a controller communicatively connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, the electronic signals representing angular position between the A-arms of the right and left front suspension assembly and the chassis.