Independent Torsion-Bar Suspension for Adaptive Ride Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles lack dynamic and adjustable suspension systems that can maintain ride height and comfort under varying load conditions and road surfaces, especially in autonomous transportation systems where payload weights and road orientations can change.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle incorporates independent suspension systems with torsion bars, preload adjustment motors, and sensors to dynamically adjust preload on each wheel, maintaining ride height and comfort by increasing preload with additional payload or during roll and pitch motions, and lowering onto a rigid support for calibration or loading/unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed suspension systems are used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the ride height cannot be maintained under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system transitions from a fixed static configuration to a dynamic adjustable system. Preload adjustment motors are integrated into each suspension assembly, allowing real-time modification of spring preload based on detected load conditions. This enables the suspension to adapt its characteristics dynamically, maintaining optimal ride height whether the vehicle is empty or fully loaded.
Solution Approach 2:
Load sensors detect the actual weight on the vehicle and provide feedback signals to the control system. The control system processes this information and commands the preload adjustment motors to modify suspension preload accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures automatic adaptation to varying loads without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If adjustable suspension systems are added, then ride comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into independent modular assemblies, with each wheel having its own preload adjustment motor and control circuitry. This segmentation allows each suspension unit to operate independently, improving reliability through redundancy while keeping individual motor units compact and manageable in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The preload adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: maintaining ride height under varying loads, adjusting suspension characteristics for different road conditions, and providing a calibrated reference position for sensor alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle lowers onto rigid support for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but the duration of action increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically lowers the vehicle onto rigid support structures before sensor calibration is performed. This preliminary positioning action ensures that all sensors are pre-aligned to their correct reference positions, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring high measurement precision from the start of the calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is fully automated, with the control system independently managing the lowering onto support structures, executing sensor measurements, and adjusting preload settings without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces calibration time by eliminating manual operations while maintaining high precision through automated precision control.
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 ensures a stable and comfortable ride by maintaining vehicle levelness and ride height under changing conditions, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in autonomous transportation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion bar coupled to the suspension arm and imparting a spring force on the suspension arm
Implementation Method 2
The preload adjustment motor may be configured to adjust the preload on the torsion bar by rotating the worm gear against the gear teeth, thereby rotating the preload arm
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include a frame structure, four wheels, and four independent suspension systems coupled to the frame structure and configured to support the wheels relative to the frame structure. Each suspension system may include a suspension arm movably coupling a respective wheel to the frame structure, a torsion bar coupled to the suspension arm and imparting a spring force on the suspension arm, a preload arm coupled to the torsion bar, and a preload adjustment motor coupled to the preload arm and configured to rotate the torsion bar to adjust a preload on the torsion bar.