Vehicle Suspension Actuator System Frequency Apportionment

Solution Overview

Problem

Active suspension systems in vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing forces between the sprung and unsprung masses, particularly in varying operating conditions, which affects ride comfort and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of linear and rotary electromagnetic actuators, with a control system that apportions force commands based on frequency and parameters associated with physical and operational conditions, allowing for efficient distribution of forces between the actuators to optimize ride control and energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single actuator is used to provide force between sprung and unsprung masses, then the system structure is simple, but the actuator size and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator system structureVSAvoidactuator energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The force provision function is segmented between two actuators: a rotary electromagnetic actuator and a linear electromagnetic actuator. Each actuator handles specific frequency ranges of force commands, allowing both to be smaller and more energy-efficient than a single actuator would need to be to handle the full spectrum alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically apports force commands between actuators based on frequency content. The control system analyzes the frequency characteristics of suspension forces and dynamically assigns low-frequency components to the rotary actuator and high-frequency components to the linear actuator, optimizing energy efficiency across varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single actuator is used to provide force between sprung and unsprung masses, then the system structure is simple, but the actuator weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator system structureVSAvoidactuator weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The force provision function is segmented between two actuators: a rotary electromagnetic actuator and a linear electromagnetic actuator. Each actuator handles specific frequency ranges of force commands, allowing both to be smaller and more energy-efficient than a single actuator would need to be to handle the full spectrum alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If force commands are apportioned based on frequency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator energy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically apports force commands between actuators based on frequency content. The control system analyzes the frequency characteristics of suspension forces and dynamically assigns low-frequency components to the rotary actuator and high-frequency components to the linear actuator, optimizing energy efficiency across varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors suspension displacement and force requirements, processes this information through frequency analysis, and adjusts the force apportionment between actuators in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive optimization of energy efficiency while managing control complexity through systematic frequency-based decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 approach enables improved ride comfort and reduced energy consumption by effectively managing forces across different frequencies and conditions, allowing for the use of smaller, more efficient actuators and reducing system weight.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator system having a combination of actuators including a linear electromagnetic actuator and a rotary electromagnetic actuator, wherein the actuator system provides force between the sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the rotary actuator acts through a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring elasticity: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7962261B2Vehicle suspension

Publication Date: 2011.06.14 CLEARMOTION ACQUISITION I LLC

AI summary

There is provided a vehicle suspension. More specifically, in one or more embodiments, there is provided an apparatus including an actuator system having a combination of actuators including a linear electromagnetic actuator and a rotary electromagnetic actuator, wherein the actuator system provides force between the sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle.