Vehicle Suspension Damping Control for Jump and Whoop Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles experience harsh rides and potential loss of wheel contact with the ground when encountering repetitive undulations or jumps due to limitations in shock absorber damping, leading to reduced driver enjoyment and potential vehicle damage.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled suspension system with ride height sensors and adjustable dampers that detect trigger events such as jumps or whoops, generating damping intervention signals to adjust damping forces based on vehicle speed and ride height information, thereby improving suspension performance and maintaining wheel contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed damping components are used in suspension systems, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to different driving conditions such as whoops or jumps, resulting in harsh rides and potential wheel loss of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system employs electronically controlled adjustable dampers that dynamically change damping forces based on real-time sensor feedback. The controller receives signals from ride height sensors and adjusts damper characteristics through electronic control valves, enabling the system to adapt to varying driving conditions such as whoops, jumps, and normal road surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates ride height sensors that continuously monitor wheel position and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to detect trigger events (whoops, jumps) and automatically adjust damping forces accordingly, allowing the suspension to respond intelligently to different driving conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated mechanical structures
2Reliability
If maximum damping force is applied continuously, then wheel contact with ground is maintained, but the ride becomes harsh and driver enjoyment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system applies damping forces periodically and selectively rather than continuously. The controller monitors sensor feedback and activates increased damping only during specific trigger events such as whoops or jumps detected through ride height changes. During normal driving conditions, the dampers operate with reduced damping forces to provide a comfortable ride, thus maintaining wheel contact when needed while ensuring ride comfort during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes damping parameters dynamically based on detected driving conditions. The controller adjusts damping force levels by controlling electronic valves in the adjustable dampers, transitioning between different damping states (low damping for comfort, high damping for wheel contact maintenance) based on real-time sensor feedback, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining wheel contact and providing ride comfort
3Strength
If damping components have limited travel range, then the system remains compact, but hard stops are encountered during whoops or jumps causing harsh impacts and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system performs preliminary actions by detecting trigger events (whoops, jumps) through sensor feedback before the wheel reaches the hard stop position. Upon detection, the controller proactively increases damping forces in advance, preparing the damper to absorb the upcoming impact more effectively. This preliminary action allows the system to handle larger travel ranges during extreme events without encountering harsh hard stops, while maintaining a compact structure during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by increasing damping forces in anticipation of potential impacts during whoops or jumps. The controller monitors ride height sensor data and activates additional damping force before the wheel reaches maximum compression or rebound positions, creating a cushioning effect that prevents harsh impacts and potential damage while allowing the compact damper structure to handle extended travel requirements when needed
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 provides a smoother ride and improved stability by proactively adjusting damping forces, enhancing driver satisfaction and preventing vehicle damage from harsh impacts.
Implementation Method 1
shock absorbers (or simply 'shocks') are provided, which are designed to provide damping for pitch (i.e., oscillation about a lateral axis of the vehicle). The shocks generally resist compression and rebound with damping forces
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of ride height sensors that determine ride height information associated with individual wheels of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method of automatically applying damping force interventions for a suspension system of a vehicle may include receiving ride height information from a plurality of ride height sensors associated with respective individual wheels of the vehicle, and receiving vehicle speed information. The method further includes determining, based on the ride height information, vehicle speed and timing information, whether a trigger event has occurred. The method also includes generating damping intervention signals to selected ones of the respective individual wheels of the vehicle responsive to determining that the trigger event has occurred.