Vehicle Suspension Control Device Dual Voltage Galvanic Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for vehicle chassis components face challenges in efficiently managing two different electrical systems with distinct voltages, leading to delayed signal propagation and potential operational failures when one voltage source is unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A control device design that utilizes two supply voltage connections, with a galvanic isolation device separating potential sides, allowing for fast signal transmission and operation using either voltage source, and includes a sensor device and output stage for actuator control, ensuring continuous operation even if one voltage fails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control device uses two different supply voltages from two electrical systems, then the system can maintain operation even if one voltage source fails, but the signal propagation time increases due to galvanic isolation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidsignal propagation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is divided into two potential sides (first and second potential sides) that are galvanically isolated from each other. Each potential side can independently operate with its own supply voltage, allowing the system to maintain functionality even if one voltage source fails. This segmentation enables redundant operation while managing the complexity of galvanic isolation through structured separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If the output stage device and control device are placed on the same potential side, then signal transmission speed increases, but the device complexity increases due to galvanic isolation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission speedVSAvoidgalvanic isolation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The output stage device and control device are merged onto the same potential side (first potential side), enabling direct and fast signal transmission without crossing galvanic boundaries. This merging optimizes control performance by eliminating isolation-related signal delays while the galvanic isolation device manages the complexity of connecting to two different electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the control device is supplied by a single voltage source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system fails to operate when the voltage source becomes unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply structureVSAvoidoperational availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed with universal compatibility to accept two different supply voltages (first and second supply voltages) from two different electrical systems. The voltage supply device can selectively operate using either voltage source, providing multi-functionality in power acquisition. This enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain functionality even when one voltage source becomes unavailable.

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

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 design enables rapid signal transmission and actuator control, maintaining system operation even if one voltage source fails, while reducing signal delay and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a galvanic isolation device (130) which is connected between the second supply voltage connection (112) and the voltage supply device (128) and is designed to galvanically isolate the first potential side (116) from the second potential side (118)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic isolation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3433134B1Control device for a suspension component and suspension component for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3433134B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3433134B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A control apparatus (100) has a first supply voltage connection (110) for supplying the control apparatus (100) with a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage connection (112) for supplying the control apparatus (100) with a second supply voltage, an actuator connection (114) for providing an alternating signal for operating an actuator (102), an output stage device (122) which is connected between the first supply voltage connection (110) and the actuator connection (114) and is designed in order to provide the alternating signal using the first supply voltage, a voltage supply device (128) for providing an operating voltage, a DC-isolation device (130) which is connected between the second supply voltage connection (112) and the voltage supply device (128) and is designed in order to DC-isolate a first potential side (116) from a second potential side (118) of the control apparatus (100), and a control device (124) which is designed in order to provide a control signal (126) for controlling the output stage device (122) using the operating voltage, wherein the control device (124) is associated with the first potential side (116).