Vehicle Suspension Air Spring Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for vehicles fail to effectively manage ride height differences between axles, leading to inadequate tractive effort on uneven terrain, which can result in wheel slip and reduced propulsion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjust the load force on axles by modifying air spring pressures between the first and second axle assemblies based on ride height and vehicle speed, ensuring the first axle assembly receives increased load force when necessary to improve contact with the road surface, thereby enhancing traction and preventing wheel slip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If air spring pressures are adjusted to equalize ride heights between axles, then vehicle stability is improved, but tractive effort on uneven terrain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts air spring pressures based on real-time detection of ride height differences and vehicle speed. When the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly on uneven terrain, the system allows or creates ride height differences to improve tractive effort. When the vehicle is moving at higher speeds, the system equalizes ride heights for stability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by changing the control strategy based on operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the air spring pressure parameters differently based on vehicle speed and terrain conditions. By modifying the target pressure differential between axles according to operating conditions, the system optimizes both tractive effort and stability for different scenarios, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Force
If load force is increased on the first axle assembly, then tractive effort and tire contact are improved, but ride height difference between axles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the load distribution between axles based on vehicle speed and terrain conditions. At low speeds or when overcoming obstacles, the system increases load on the drive axle to improve tractive effort. At higher speeds, the system equalizes load distribution for stability. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by allowing temporary ride height differences when beneficial for traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system modifies the target air spring pressure parameters based on operating conditions. When tractive effort is needed, the system allows higher pressure (and thus higher load) on the drive axle. When stability is prioritized, the system equalizes pressures. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between tractive effort and ride height equality.
3Reliability
If air spring pressure is increased to improve traction, then wheel slip is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies increased air spring pressure (and thus increased load for better traction) only partially or temporarily, specifically when wheel slip is detected or when operating on uneven terrain at low speeds. Instead of maintaining high pressure continuously, the system applies pressure adjustments only when needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining traction reliability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes air spring pressure parameters dynamically based on detected conditions such as wheel slip, ride height differences, and vehicle speed. By adjusting pressure only when traction problems are detected rather than maintaining high pressure continuously, the system achieves reliable traction when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
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 solution ensures improved traction and propulsion efficiency by dynamically adjusting load forces on the axles, particularly when ride height differences occur, effectively addressing the issue of wheel slip and terrain unevenness.
Implementation Method 1
The load force upon the first axle is increased by increasing pressure in an air spring of the first axle assembly and/or by decreasing pressure in an air spring of the second axle assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A suspension system and a method of control. A load force on a first axle assembly may be increased when a ride height of the first axle assembly differs from the ride height of the second axle assembly by more than a threshold amount and the ride height of the first axle assembly is not within a ride height tolerance.