Suspension Sensor Road Roughness Detection for Adaptive Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems focus on passenger comfort but often compromise acceleration and braking performance due to variations in road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing multiple suspension sensors to detect road conditions, analyze vertical motion amplitudes and frequencies, and adjust active suspension, traction control, and anti-lock braking systems accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing suspension systems optimize for passenger comfort, then comfort is maintained in different road conditions, but acceleration and braking performance are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of road conditions using suspension sensors before the vehicle actually encounters them. By analyzing vertical motion amplitude and frequency data in real-time, the system anticipates upcoming rough sections and pre-adjusts suspension stiffness and braking/acceleration parameters, thereby maintaining both comfort and performance without reactive delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts suspension control parameters based on detected road conditions. The controller continuously modifies suspension stiffness, braking force, and acceleration parameters in real-time according to the analyzed vertical motion characteristics, transforming static suspension settings into adaptive, condition-specific configurations that optimize both comfort and performance
2Reliability
If suspension sensors are used to detect road conditions, then vehicle performance can be improved by adapting to road roughness, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing suspension sensors for multiple purposes: their primary function for suspension control and an additional function for road condition detection. By analyzing the vertical motion data already being collected for suspension management, the system extracts road roughness information without requiring separate dedicated sensors, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling performance improvements
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
Improves vehicle performance by anticipating and adapting to road roughness, enhancing braking and acceleration, and maintaining comfort.
Implementation Method 1
determines an amplitude of vertical motion of the suspension over time using the received sensor output. The method identifies peaks and valleys in the amplitude of vertical motion of the suspension over time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a traction control system, ABS and actively controlled suspension. The method includes receiving an sensor output from at least one suspension sensor at a controller. The sensor output is indicative of a vertical height of the suspension relative to a road. The method determines an amplitude of vertical motion of the suspension over time using the received sensor output. The method identifies peaks and valleys in the amplitude of vertical motion of the suspension over time. The method determines that a rough road condition is present in response to a number of peaks and valleys exceeding a predefined threshold amplitude occurring more often than a predefined threshold frequency. An active suspension control of at least one wheel system of a vehicle is adapted in response to determining that a rough road condition is present.