Four-Wheel Steering and Suspension Undulation for Stuck Vehicle Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles often lose traction on uneven or off-road terrains, leading to stuck situations due to inadequate weight distribution and traction management strategies like crab walking and bouncing modes failing to effectively redistribute weight or enhance wheel traction.
Innovation Solution
A sequence of actions involving adjustable suspension systems to shift vehicle weight onto specific wheels, combined with lateral wheel turning and torque application, creating a serpentine undulation motion to regain traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If crab walking mode is used (both front and rear wheels turned laterally in the same direction), then the vehicle moves forward and laterally, but the vehicle weight distribution is not adjusted and traction to stuck wheels is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by independently controlling each wheel's steering angle and adjusting the ride height at each wheel position separately. This allows specific wheels to receive enhanced weight distribution while others maintain different configurations, optimizing traction at each contact point rather than treating all wheels uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts wheel steering angles and ride heights in real-time based on traction conditions. The control system continuously monitors wheel slip and terrain conditions, then modifies the crab walking parameters and suspension configuration to adapt to changing traction requirements at each wheel.
2Stability of the object's composition
If bounce mode is used (suspension pumped to move vehicle rhythmically up and down), then the vehicle moves rhythmically, but weight is not distributed to individual wheels and forward propulsion is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle suspension control into independent wheel-position level control. Instead of moving the entire vehicle body uniformly in bounce mode, the system can independently adjust ride height at each wheel or axle group, allowing weight to be selectively distributed to specific wheels that need enhanced traction while maintaining controlled motion at other positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static bounce mode to dynamic adaptive control by continuously monitoring wheel traction conditions and adjusting suspension characteristics in real-time. The ride height adjustments are dynamically coordinated with wheel steering and power delivery to achieve both rhythmic motion and effective weight distribution to stuck wheels.
3Reliability
If vertical suspension control is added to crab walking mode, then weight distribution to individual wheels is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in traditional ride control mode, crab walking mode with lateral movement, bounce mode with vertical oscillation, and the new mode with selective weight distribution. The same adjustable suspension components and control architecture handle all these different operational modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the crab walking steering control with vertical suspension control into a unified system. The electronic control unit simultaneously manages wheel steering angles and suspension ride height adjustments, coordinating these functions to achieve weight distribution to stuck wheels while maintaining lateral movement capability. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems.
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 effectively redistributes weight and enhances traction, allowing vehicles to dislodge from stuck positions and navigate challenging terrains by inducing a complex wave-like motion similar to a snake's slither.
Implementation Method 1
shifting more of the vehicle weight onto a first wheel by lowering, using an adjustable suspension system, the ride height of a portion of the vehicle at the first wheel
Implementation Method 2
The first wheel with the added weight may also be spun with more torque. Subsequently, more of the weight is shifted onto a second wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The weigh of a vehicle body may be shifted onto selected wheels using the adjustable suspension systems of the vehicle to induce an undulating motion sequence of the vehicle. This may aid the vehicle to regain traction when a wheel is stuck. A first wheel may be turned in a first direction and more of the vehicle weight may be shifted onto the first wheel, while spinning one or more wheels, then this may be repeated for each wheel of the vehicle sequentially. More or less torque may be applied to the wheel onto which more of the vehicle's weight is shifted. The four-wheel sequence may be done at a predefined cadence and repeated as necessary. Also, based on terrain depth sensor signaling, an optimal weight distribution of the vehicle may be determined to aid vehicle movement on a hilly or off-road terrain.