Switchable Stabilizer Assembly with Hydraulic Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle stabilizers face a trade-off between comfort and driving dynamics due to their fixed spring rates, and they often require costly and heavy external power sources like motors or pumping devices.
Innovation Solution
A switchable stabilizer assembly with semi-active hydraulic actuators that adjust spring rates without external power, using non-elastically deformable working chambers and a frequency-selective valve to vary the flow cross section, allowing for adaptive damping based on vibration frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passive stabilizers with fixed spring rates are used, then the suspension is simple and reliable, but the vehicle cannot adapt to different driving conditions, compromising either comfort or driving dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer system transitions from a fixed spring rate design to a dynamically adjustable system. The hydraulic actuator with variable flow cross-section allows the stabilizer to adapt its characteristics in real-time based on driving conditions, enabling the system to switch between soft suspension for comfort and hard suspension for driving dynamics without requiring multiple physical stabilizers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spring rate parameter of the stabilizer dynamically by controlling the flow cross-section of the hydraulic actuator. By actively varying the flow cross-section, the system can adjust the effective spring rate to match different driving conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed design limitations and adaptability requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If active stabilizers with motors or pumping devices are used, then driving dynamics and comfort can be optimized, but the system becomes heavier and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heavy motor or pumping device from the stabilizer system while retaining the active control capability. By using a hydraulic actuator with a variable flow cross-section that can be controlled without requiring continuous external power, the system eliminates the need for energy-consuming components, significantly reducing weight and cost while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator design allows the stabilizer system to self-regulate by controlling fluid flow between working chambers without requiring external power sources. The system uses the existing hydraulic fluid and chamber pressures to achieve the stabilizing effect, eliminating the need for motors or pumps and thereby reducing weight
3Adaptability or versatility
If active stabilizers with external power sources are used, then forces and torques can be actively controlled, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the actuator and stabilizer functions into a single integrated hydraulic system. The hydraulic actuator with variable flow cross-section serves both as the force-generating element and the control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate motors, pumps, and control systems. This consolidation reduces installation space and overall system complexity while maintaining active force control capability
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 stabilizer to switch between different spring rates and damping modes without external power, improving comfort and driving dynamics while reducing costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
A switchable stabilizer assembly with semi-active hydraulic actuators that adjust spring rates without external power
Implementation Method 2
using non-elastically deformable working chambers and a frequency-selective valve to vary the flow cross section, allowing for adaptive damping based on vibration frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A switchable stabilizer assembly of a vehicle, in particular for roll stabilization. The stabilizer assembly includes a first stabilizer half and a second stabilizer half, both coupled to a wheel of the vehicle, where the first and second stabilizer halves are coupled rotatably relative to each other about their longitudinal axis by a hydraulic actuator. The actuator has at least two working chambers filled with a hydraulic medium and has at least one fluid-conducting connection of variable flow cross section between the at least two working chambers. The working chambers are not elastically deformable. Instead, a spring element is arranged in the at least two working chambers and/or in at least two further working chambers of the actuator and is supported between a rotor and a stator of the actuator. The flow cross section of the fluid-conducting connection can be varied depending on the vibration frequency of the stabilizer assembly.