Adjustable Suspension Bladder Fluid Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems face challenges in balancing ride height, road holding, handling, and comfort, as they often require compromises between these objectives based on the vehicle's intended purpose, and there is a need for a system that can dynamically adjust ride height in response to various vehicle events and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable suspension system that uses a bladder to vary the vehicle's ride height by pumping fluid in response to road wheel forces, with a controller monitoring vehicle operations, detecting predetermined events, and regulating fluid volume to maintain optimal ride height based on road speed and other conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If ride height is reduced to enhance aerodynamics, then fuel consumption is reduced, but road holding capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts ride height based on detected vehicle events and road conditions. The controller monitors vehicle operation and automatically selects appropriate ride heights, transitioning between low ride height for aerodynamics and high ride height for road holding based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of ride height to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting ride height between low and high positions, the system optimizes aerodynamics and fuel economy when low position is needed and road holding when high position is needed, eliminating the need for compromise in fixed suspension designs.
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 effectively adjusts ride height to enhance vehicle handling, comfort, and aerodynamics, reducing fuel consumption and maintaining contact between the road wheel and surface, while avoiding the complexity of traditional pneumatic suspensions.
Implementation Method 1
The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable suspension system may include an accumulator configured to selectively retain the fluid pumped by the bladder and release the fluid to the bladder above an accumulator pressure threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for controlling a suspension corner connected to a road wheel in a vehicle's adjustable suspension system. The method includes monitoring operation of the vehicle, detecting an occurrence of a predetermined vehicle event, and detecting a road speed of the vehicle. The method also includes monitoring a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner. The vehicle ride height at the suspension corner is selected via a bladder arranged at the suspension corner. The bladder is characterized by a variable height and configured to pump a fluid in response to forces generated at the road wheel and hold a volume of the fluid. The method additionally includes selecting the ride height at the suspension corner in response to the detected occurrence of the predetermined vehicle event and the detected vehicle road speed by regulating the volume of the fluid being held by the bladder.