Vehicle Suspension Apparatus Height Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic active suspension units for vehicles are complex, inefficient in terms of fuel usage, and increase CO2 emissions, while they struggle to maintain optimal vehicle height adjustments during varying driving conditions and road surfaces, leading to compromised riding comfort and steering performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle suspension apparatus featuring an internal cylinder with fixing grooves, an intermediate cylinder for shock-absorber movement, and an external cylinder with locking pins and a driving device, allowing the shock-absorber to be moved up and down to adjust vehicle height through a motor-powered power transmission system, ensuring optimal height adjustment based on driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hydraulic active suspension unit is used, then vehicle height adjustment capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to hydraulic pump, reservoir, hydraulic lines, and cylinder blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic system components (hydraulic pump, reservoir, hydraulic lines, cylinder blocks) from the suspension system, retaining only the essential shock-absorber mechanism while achieving height adjustment through a simplified mechanical linkage system with upper and lower arms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic system with a purely mechanical system consisting of upper and lower arms, shock-absorber, and linkage mechanisms that work together to achieve vehicle height adjustment without requiring hydraulic fluid or pumps
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hydraulic active suspension unit is used, then vehicle height adjustment capability is achieved, but fuel efficiency decreases and CO2 emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the energy-intensive hydraulic pump and associated components from the system, eliminating the continuous energy consumption required to maintain hydraulic pressure and operate the suspension adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system with upper and lower arms utilizes the vehicle's existing motion and forces to automatically adjust suspension height without requiring external energy input, allowing the system to self-regulate based on road conditions and vehicle load
3Ease of operation
If vehicle height is kept low for normal driving, then steering performance is improved, but collision risk with road surfaces increases on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic suspension system where the vehicle height is not fixed but can be actively adjusted in real-time based on road conditions, allowing the system to maintain low height for steering performance on smooth roads while automatically increasing height to prevent collisions on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect road conditions and vehicle position, providing feedback to the control unit which then adjusts the suspension height accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions to maintain both steering performance and collision prevention
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 configuration enhances vehicle driving performance by dynamically adjusting the vehicle height, preventing collisions with road surfaces and improving stability on uneven terrain, while reducing the complexity and environmental impact of the suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
a motor and a power transmission connected between the motor and the external cylinder so that the external cylinder is rotated during the operation of the motor
Implementation Method 2
The external cylinder may be provided on an internal circumferential surface thereof with operational recesses at positions corresponding to those of the fixing grooves and the connection holes, wherein the locking pins may be respectively disposed in the operational recesses such that the locking pins are resiliently supported by elastic springs
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension apparatus may include an internal cylinder having fixing grooves, an intermediate cylinder rotatably provided around the internal cylinder to allow a shock-absorber to be moved up and down, and having connection holes, an external cylinder rotatably provided around the intermediate cylinder and having locking pins to be inserted into the fixing grooves through the connection holes such that the locking pins are decoupled from the fixing grooves, but remain inserted into the connection holes, and a driving device connected to the external cylinder to rotate the intermediate cylinder to allow the shock-absorber to be moved up and down, adjusting a height of a vehicle body.