Vehicle Suspension Jack Assembly for Adaptive Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems face challenges in optimizing vehicle steering, braking, and occupant comfort, particularly in managing vehicle height across varying driving conditions and uneven surfaces, while also maintaining aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system incorporating a damper with a jack assembly that utilizes a piston and fluid chambers to alternately raise and lower the vehicle body with respect to the wheel, using kinetic and potential energy from the damper to actuate the jack assembly, allowing for on-demand height adjustment and improved ground clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle body is lowered to improve aerodynamics during high-speed driving, then fuel efficiency is improved, but ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts the vehicle body height based on driving conditions. The jack assembly can raise or lower the vehicle body relative to the wheel, transitioning between static height positions to optimize for either aerodynamics (lowered) or ground clearance (raised), making the system adaptive rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the vehicle body by actuating the jack assembly. This parameter change allows the vehicle to switch between different height states, optimizing aerodynamics and fuel efficiency when lowered, and providing sufficient ground clearance when raised
2Length of moving object
If the vehicle body is raised to increase ground clearance for low-speed conditions, then ground clearance is improved, but aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts the vehicle body height based on driving conditions. The jack assembly can raise or lower the vehicle body relative to the wheel, transitioning between static height positions to optimize for either ground clearance (raised) or aerodynamics (lowered), making the system adaptive rather than fixed
3Ease of operation
If a self-powered height control system is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jack assembly is self-powered by utilizing the kinetic energy already present in the suspension system. The piston's reciprocating motion during normal suspension operation drives the jack mechanism through fluid pressure changes, eliminating the need for external power sources, motors, or complex control systems while maintaining ease of 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 system effectively enhances vehicle aerodynamics and fuel efficiency during high-speed driving while providing sufficient ground clearance for low-speed conditions, improving occupant comfort and convenience through self-powered height control.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flowable between the rebound chamber, the reservoir chamber, and the jack chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fluid flowable between the rebound chamber, the reservoir chamber, and the jack chamber
Implementation Method 3
a damper which isolates the body of the vehicle from jolts and bumps
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper and a jack assembly. The damper includes a first tube defining a first cavity and having a longitudinal axis, a second tube disposed within the first cavity and defining a second cavity, wherein the second tube is spaced apart from the first tube to define a reservoir chamber, and a piston translatable within the second cavity along the axis, wherein the piston abuts the second tube to define a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The system includes a jack assembly attached to the damper and configured for raising and lowering the body with respect to the wheel. The assembly includes a jack piston abutting the first tube, and a jack cylinder also abutting the first tube and translatable with respect to the jack piston to thereby raise and lower the body. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.