Vehicle Suspension Steering With Torque-Based Shock and Traction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems for motor vehicles are inefficient in dynamically adjusting to road conditions and passenger comfort, as they require vertical movement of the entire drive wheel and suspension structure, leading to increased shock transfer and reduced traction during disturbances like bumps.
Innovation Solution
An active suspension system with a torque control device that adjusts torque to the drive wheel based on sensor feedback, allowing longitudinal displacement of the drive wheel axis relative to the vehicle body, thereby reducing shock transfer and enhancing traction by varying stiffness in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional suspension systems use vertical movement of the entire drive wheel and suspension structure, then the suspension can support vehicle weight, but the shock transfer to the vehicle body is increased and traction is reduced during disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts its characteristics by allowing longitudinal displacement of the drive wheel axis relative to the vehicle body. The torque control device actively varies torque supplied to the drive wheel in real-time based on sensor feedback about displacement levels, enabling the system to adapt to changing road conditions and disturbance profiles, thereby reducing shock transfer while maintaining traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the suspension by varying the torque applied to the drive wheel. The torque control device modifies torque levels in response to sensor data about longitudinal displacement, effectively changing the stiffness and damping characteristics of the suspension system dynamically rather than using fixed parameters, which reduces shock transfer during disturbances.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the suspension system allows longitudinal displacement of the drive wheel axis, then the rate of vertical displacement is reduced and shock transfer is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheel serves multiple functions: it provides propulsion torque and simultaneously acts as part of the suspension mechanism through its ability to undergo longitudinal displacement. The torque control device serves dual purposes of maintaining vehicle speed and adjusting suspension characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated suspension components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving shock reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is self-regulating through the torque control device that automatically adjusts torque based on sensor feedback about longitudinal displacement. The system uses its own operational parameters (torque to drive wheel) to control its suspension characteristics, eliminating the need for external active suspension actuators and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to reduce shock transfer.
3Ease of operation
If torque is varied to the drive wheel to adjust suspension stiffness, then road handling and passenger comfort are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque control device operates with feedback from sensors that monitor the longitudinal displacement of the drive wheel axis. This closed-loop control allows the system to vary torque only when and to the extent necessary to maintain optimal suspension characteristics, rather than continuously consuming energy. The feedback mechanism enables efficient energy use by adjusting torque in response to actual road conditions and disturbance levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque control device applies torque variations only when disturbances are detected that affect suspension performance. Rather than continuously varying torque, the system intervenes partially only when needed to counteract specific disturbances, thereby improving road handling and passenger comfort while minimizing additional energy consumption compared to a system that operates continuously.
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 improves road handling and passenger comfort by dynamically adjusting suspension stiffness and reducing shock transfer through longitudinal displacement of the drive wheel, allowing for selective stiffening or softening of the suspension to counteract disturbances and maintain desired vehicle speed.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient rotary mechanism defining a rotary suspension axis extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body about which the drive wheel axis is pivotable (e.g. resiliently pivotable)
Implementation Method 2
The resilient rotary mechanism is a torsional rotary mechanism (i.e. a rotary device in which the pivotal displacement action is provided by torsional deformation of a torsion member). In one embodiment the torsional rotary mechanism comprises a torsional spring.
Implementation Method 3
a torque control device for automatically varying torque supplied to the drive wheel in dependence upon the output of the sensor
Implementation Method 4
a sensor for providing an output indicative of a level of displacement provided by the suspension system
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle (10) comprising: a vehicle body (12) defining a longitudinal axis “L”; a suspension system (40) mounted to the vehicle body (12) and connected to a drive wheel (32A, 32B) defining a drive wheel axis “A”, the suspension system (40) being configured to allow displacement of the drive wheel axis “A” relative to the vehicle body (12) with a component of the displacement occurring in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis “L” of the vehicle body (12); a sensor (110) for providing an output indicative of a level of displacement provided by the suspension system (40); and a torque control device (120) for automatically varying torque supplied to the drive wheel (32A, 32B) in dependence upon the output of the sensor (110).