Switchable Air Volume Suspension for Vehicle Oscillation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air suspension systems lack the ability to automatically adjust the air volume and spring rate of air springs to effectively reduce or eliminate various types of vehicle oscillations, such as roll hop, trailer sway, powerhop, and pitch oscillation, which can lead to reduced ride comfort and potential vehicle rollovers.
Innovation Solution
The air suspension system incorporates switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies that adjust their air spring volumes and pressure in response to detected vehicle oscillations, changing the spring rate to dampen out these oscillations through a network of valves and a compressor, allowing for real-time adjustments based on vehicle inputs like speed, acceleration, and displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring rate is increased to reduce vehicle oscillations, then oscillation control is improved, but ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring assembly dynamically switches between different air volumes (first and second volumes) based on detected oscillation conditions. The system transitions from a static spring rate to a dynamic one that adapts in real-time, selecting appropriate air volumes to control oscillations while maintaining ride comfort during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of air spring volume between two distinct states (first and second volumes). This parameter switching allows the spring rate to be adjusted without mechanical modification, enabling oscillation control while preserving comfort by returning to the comfortable volume state when oscillations subside.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cavities are used to provide different spring rates, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring assembly is segmented into multiple cavities (first and second cavities) that can be independently controlled. Each cavity can be selectively pressurized or vented to achieve different spring rates, allowing the system to provide multiple suspension characteristics without requiring entirely separate air spring assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-cavity air spring assembly serves multiple functions: it provides both ride comfort and oscillation control using a single integrated component. The system can operate in different modes (comfort mode, oscillation control mode) by activating different cavities, making the air spring assembly universal for both comfort and performance requirements.
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 solution enables the air suspension system to automatically adjust the spring rate of air springs to reduce or eliminate vehicle oscillations, enhancing ride comfort and safety by changing the natural frequency of the vehicle, thereby mitigating oscillations like roll hop, trailer sway, and powerhop.
Implementation Method 1
The typical air spring has at least one working space, or cavity that is filled with compressed air generated by a compressor
Implementation Method 2
Air suspension systems utilize air springs, rather than traditional coil springs
Implementation Method 3
at least one valve operable for placing one or more of the cavities in fluid communication with one another
Implementation Method 4
compressed air generated by a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An air suspension system which includes the ability to adjust the working air volume, pressure, and spring rate of one or more air springs to reduce or eliminate various types of vehicle oscillations. Switchable or variable volume air spring assemblies have the ability to change air spring volumes, which results in changes in air spring rates, and therefore changes in normal loads applied to each wheel. Changes in wheel normal loads change wheel traction (slip) and vehicle dynamics (pitch, roll, yaw displacement, rate and acceleration). The spring rate of one or more of the air spring assemblies is adjusted automatically when a vehicle oscillation is detected. This vehicle oscillation is calculated from the raw vehicle signals, or another vehicle module may detect the oscillation and send a command to the air suspension module to change the spring rates. This changes the natural frequency of the vehicle, dampening the oscillation.