Vehicle Suspension Secondary Actuation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in achieving a compromise between road-holding, handling, comfort, and noise isolation, as they often require a trade-off between adjustable and non-adjustable properties like spring rate, preload, and ride height, which limits their adaptability to different driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A secondary actuation system that includes an actuator device connected to the suspension corner assembly, allowing for selective adjustment of vehicle operating properties such as spring rate, preload, and ride height through a fluid-actuated piston and a spring assembly with adjustable resilient members, enabling variable stiffness and preload compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If suspension systems are designed with fixed spring rate and preload, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different driving conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a secondary actuation system that dynamically adjusts suspension properties (spring rate, preload, ride height) in real-time based on driving conditions. The actuator device with piston and fluid chamber transforms the fixed suspension into an adjustable system, allowing the vehicle to adapt between comfort-oriented and handling-oriented modes, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the suspension system by introducing adjustable spring rates and preload forces through the actuation mechanism. The system can vary spring rate between different rates (e.g., first and second spring rates) and adjust preload forces, enabling the suspension to optimize performance for different road conditions and driving styles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable parameters are implemented, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary actuation system operates autonomously to adjust suspension parameters without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The actuator device automatically modifies spring rate, preload, and ride height based on sensor inputs and control logic, eliminating the need for drivers to manually adjust multiple suspension parameters, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor vehicle conditions (acceleration, road surface, driving style) and the control system automatically adjusts suspension parameters in response. This closed-loop control allows the suspension to self-optimize based on real-time conditions, making multiple adjustable parameters easy to operate as the system handles the complexity automatically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active control is implemented to vary spring rate and preload, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the suspension system into separate functional modules: the primary suspension system with fixed components and the secondary actuation system with adjustable components. The actuation system is further segmented into individual actuators for different suspension corners, each capable of independent adjustment. This modular segmentation allows active control functionality to be added without completely redesigning the entire suspension system, managing complexity through functional decomposition.
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 system enhances the adaptability of the suspension system by allowing real-time adjustments to improve handling, comfort, and noise isolation, providing a more optimized ride under various driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A spring assembly is in fluid communication with the at least one actuator device and is selectively actuated to adjust an amount of fluid in the at least one actuator device
Implementation Method 2
a damper assembly operatively connected to the knuckle and the structure to dampen forces generated at the wheel as the vehicle traverses the road surface
Implementation Method 3
The at least one resilient member further comprises a spring medium including but not limited to coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a structure and a wheel maintaining contact with a road surface. A suspension supports the structure and includes one or more suspension corner assemblies connecting the wheel to the structure and configured to maintain contact between the wheel and the road surface. A secondary actuation system cooperates with the suspension system and is operable to selectively change at least one vehicle operating property. The secondary actuation system includes at least one actuator device operatively connected to the structure at a first end and the one or more suspension corner assemblies at a second end to selectively change at least one vehicle operating property and a spring assembly in fluid communication with the at least one actuator device selectively actuated to adjust an amount of fluid in the at least one actuator device to selectively change the at least one vehicle operating property.