Steered Axle Vibration Absorber for Commercial Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy commercial vehicles, particularly buses, experience vibrations in the vehicle body and frame due to road conditions and driving speed, which affect driving comfort and stability, and existing solutions often require multiple vibration dampers and complex control strategies.

Innovation Solution

A specially designed axle suspension system with a steered rigid axle connected to the vehicle frame via a steering device, equipped with a vibration sensor and actuating unit that detects and compensates for vibrations by generating counter-vibrations through controlled movement of the rigid axle, using actuating cylinders to introduce reaction forces that cancel out unwanted vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a third axle is designed as a freely steerable axle to improve maneuverability and reduce tire wear, then maneuverability is improved, but lateral rigidity is reduced leading to reduced driving stability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddriving stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The axle suspension system dynamically adjusts the position of the third axle relative to the vehicle frame based on detected vibrations and driving conditions. The actuating unit moves the rigid axle laterally to generate counter-vibrations that compensate for unwanted vehicle body vibrations, allowing the system to adapt between maneuverability and stability requirements depending on the operating state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the lateral position parameter of the third axle dynamically. By varying the axle position through the actuating unit in response to vibration sensors, the system modifies the vehicle's lateral rigidity and vibration characteristics to achieve both maneuverability and driving stability across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional vibration dampers are used to reduce vibrations in the vehicle body and frame, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and requires multiple dampers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third axle serves multiple functions: it provides steering capability for maneuverability, acts as a vibration compensation mechanism through its movable suspension, and contributes to vehicle stability. By making the axle position adjustable via the actuating unit, the same component addresses both maneuverability requirements and vibration reduction, eliminating the need for separate vibration damper systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the vibration compensation function with the existing steerable axle system. Instead of adding separate vibration dampers, the system merges the vibration control function into the axle suspension mechanism, using the actuating unit to move the axle in a way that generates counter-vibrations while maintaining the axle's primary steering function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution effectively reduces vibrations in the vehicle body and frame, enhancing driving comfort and stability by simplifying the measurement and control strategy, potentially reducing the number of vibration dampers required and improving maneuverability.

Implementation Method 1

the rigid axle can be set in motion by the actuating unit in such a way that vibrations generated by the movement of the rigid axle at least partially compensate for the detected vibrations of the at least one component of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration compensation through counter-vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the sensor unit has at least one vibration sensor, with which a vibration of at least one component of the vehicle can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2351657B1Commercial vehicle with an articulated axle as a vibration absorber
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2351657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2351657B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2351657B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The axle suspension has a sensor unit with an oscillation sensor (21), with which an oscillation of a component of vehicle is detected and is transferred to a control unit (20). A control signal is generated in the control unit and is transmitted to a positioning unit (8). The detected oscillation of a component of a vehicle is compensated by oscillation produced by the movement of steered axle (1). An independent claim is also included for a commercial vehicle, which has a tandem axle module.