Vehicle Suspension With Selective Valve for Rolling Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for agricultural or industrial vehicles, such as tractors, fail to provide sufficient comfort and safety at high speeds, particularly during cornering or double lane changes, due to insufficient rolling stability.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with a selective communication element between two cylinders allows independent control of each cylinder, enabling anti-rolling forces to be applied, and a reduced flow conduit ensures stability even if the communication element fails, combined with proportional damping valves for enhanced control strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive suspension system with common accumulator connection is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but rolling stability is insufficient at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the previously common hydraulic circuit into separate independent circuits for left and right cylinders. Each cylinder now has its own connection to the common accumulator through individual lines, allowing independent control while maintaining overall system reliability. This segmentation enables differential pressure application to counteract rolling forces during cornering or lane changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities by allowing the suspension system to actively adjust pressure distribution between left and right cylinders based on vehicle operating conditions. The selective communication element enables dynamic switching between connected and isolated states, allowing the system to adapt to high-speed cornering, lane changes, and other maneuvers requiring rolling stability.
2Ease of operation
If the selective communication element is closed to isolate cylinders, then independent control is achieved, but system reliability decreases due to potential failure modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a selective communication element as an intermediary component between the left and right cylinder circuits. This element can selectively connect or isolate the circuits, providing controlled independence when needed while maintaining connectivity for stability. The intermediary allows the system to transition between cooperative and independent operating modes based on vehicle dynamics requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system with the selective communication element in a normally open state, providing a fail-safe configuration where connectivity is maintained by default. The isolation function is activated only when deliberately controlled, reducing the risk of unintended system failure. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures that reliability is preserved unless independent control is explicitly required.
3Productivity
If high speed operation is enabled, then productivity increases, but comfort and safety deteriorate due to insufficient rolling stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that monitors vehicle operating conditions and adjusts suspension pressure distribution accordingly. The selective communication element responds to vehicle dynamics inputs, automatically activating independent cylinder control when rolling forces are detected during high-speed cornering or lane changes. This feedback mechanism maintains driver comfort and safety even at elevated speeds by actively counteracting rolling motions.
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 significantly improves rolling stability and driver safety and comfort at high speeds by allowing independent control of each cylinder and maintaining stability through reduced flow conduit functionality, enhancing drivability and ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
Each cylinder has a piston chamber and a rod chamber. The rod chambers are connected to a common accumulator, whereas each piston chamber is connected to a respective accumulator.
Implementation Method 2
a damping device which is operable when the vehicle is subjected to external forces which act to change the position of its chassis
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A suspension system for a vehicle comprises: - a first cylinder (C1) and a second cylinder (C2) positionable at opposite sides of an axle (1) of the vehicle, - a first accumulator (A1) connectable to a chamber (4) of the first cylinder (C1) by a first connecting line (L1), - a second accumulator (A2) connectable to a chamber (4) of the second cylinder (C2) by a second connecting line (L2), - a common accumulator (A3) connectable to a further chamber (5) of each cylinder (C1, C2). The first connecting line (L1) and the second connecting line (L2) are connected to each other by a conduit (8). A selective communication element (V4) is arranged along said conduit (8). The selective communication element (V4) is movable between an open position in which a common pressure is present inside the chambers (4), and a closed position in which the first cylinder (C1) and the second cylinder (C2) can be controlled independently of each other.