Vehicle Stabilizer System with Linkage-Controlled Hydraulic Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stabilizer systems for vehicles, particularly those utilizing hydraulic cylinders, have limitations in effectively controlling vehicle body roll and require improvements to enhance their utility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer system comprising two stabilizer devices for the front and rear wheels, each with a stabilizer bar, cylinders, and a linkage mechanism that allows inter-fluid-chamber communication or shutoff states to be selectively established, enabling coordinated roll restraint and absorption of road inputs, while using cost-effective non-electromagnetic valves and accumulators to simplify the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic cylinder is applied to control the stabilizer bar, then the vehicle body roll restraining effect can be controlled, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer device dynamically changes its characteristics by switching between two states: (1) inter-fluid-chamber shutoff state where the stabilizer bar provides roll restraining effect, and (2) inter-fluid-chamber communication state where the stabilizer bar becomes flexible and the roll restraining effect is cancelled. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different driving conditions without requiring complex hydraulic control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple hydraulic communication passage with an opening-closing valve to connect the two fluid chambers of the cylinder. By controlling the communication between fluid chambers, the system achieves dynamic stabilizer bar control. The hydraulic mechanism is simplified compared to traditional active stabilizer systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If an electromagnetic opening-closing valve is used in the main stabilizer device, then the stabilizer device can be electrically controlled, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two parts: the main stabilizer device uses an electrically controllable electromagnetic opening-closing valve for easy operation, while the following stabilizer device uses a non-electromagnetic opening-closing valve that operates mechanically or hydraulically. This segmentation allows electrical control where needed while reducing costs in other parts of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The following stabilizer device copies the basic functional structure of the main stabilizer device but uses a simpler, non-electromagnetic opening-closing valve instead. This copying approach with selective simplification reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential roll control functionality through the linkage mechanism.
3Productivity
If a relatively large electromagnetic valve is used to pass large flow rate, then the flow rate requirement is met, but the cost becomes considerably expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic flow requirements are segmented between two valves: the electromagnetic valve in the main stabilizer device handles control functions with moderate flow requirements, while the non-electromagnetic valve in the following stabilizer device handles additional flow needs. This segmentation allows using a smaller, less expensive electromagnetic valve while still meeting overall system flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication passage and hydraulic fluid act as intermediaries to distribute and manage flow between the two stabilizer devices. The linkage mechanism coordinates the operation of both valves to optimize flow distribution, allowing the system to meet high flow rate requirements without needing a single large expensive electromagnetic valve.
4Device complexity
If only one stabilizer device is provided, then the system is simpler, but the vehicle body roll restraining effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two stabilizer devices into a coordinated system where the main stabilizer device and following stabilizer device work together through a linkage mechanism. This combination provides enhanced roll restraint effectiveness compared to a single device, while the linkage mechanism ensures coordinated operation that simplifies the overall control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism provides a feedback-like coordination between the two stabilizer devices. When the main stabilizer device switches states, the linkage mechanism triggers the following stabilizer device to switch accordingly, ensuring coordinated roll control throughout the vehicle. This interconnection enhances reliability without requiring independent complex control systems for each device.
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 system achieves enhanced vehicle body roll restraint and improved ride comfort during off-road driving by effectively linking the stabilizer devices to manage roll stiffness and maintain stability, even in the event of electrical failures, while reducing costs through the use of non-electromagnetic components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cylinders each including a housing and a piston by which the housing is sectioned into two fluid chambers... via which the two fluid chambers of each of the one or more cylinders are connected to each other
Implementation Method 2
The opening-closing valve of the main stabilizer device may be an electrically controllable electromagnetic valve
Implementation Method 3
The opening-closing valve of the following stabilizer device may be a non-electromagnetic valve configured to operate by using, as a pilot pressure, the hydraulic pressure introduced via the introduction passage
Data Source
AI summary
In each of a first stabilizer device and a second stabilizer device, a stabilizer bar is supported by one or more cylinders, a communication passage via which two fluid chambers of each cylinder are connected is provided, and an opening-closing valve is disposed in the communication passage such that an inter-fluid-chamber communication state where the two fluid chambers communicate with each other and an inter-fluid-chamber shutoff state where the two fluid chambers are shut off from each other are selectively established. Hereby, a vehicle body roll restraining effect is achieved in the inter-fluid-chamber shutoff state while the vehicle body roll restraining effect is cancelled in the inter-fluid-chamber communication state. A linkage mechanism by which those two states of each of the stabilizer devices are changed in conjunction with each other is provided.