Variable Center of Gravity Damper Control for Vehicle Body Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling vehicle body movement rely on a stationary center of gravity assumption, leading to inaccurate control measures and reduced driving comfort due to incorrect interpretation of movement axes during dynamic conditions like cornering or driving on uneven surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The method determines heave, roll, or pitch movements around a variable point of the vehicle body, allowing the center of gravity to shift and optimizing movement axes placement, enabling more accurate control and enhanced comfort by considering the actual movement axes' positions relative to the vehicle's center of gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the center of gravity is assumed to be stationary for control calculations, then the control system is simpler to implement, but the control accuracy deteriorates during dynamic driving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidmovement axis detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a stationary center of gravity assumption to a dynamic center of gravity calculation that adapts to actual driving conditions. The control system now calculates the center of gravity position based on sensor data from accelerometers and gyroscopes, allowing the movement axes to shift dynamically during cornering, acceleration, or uneven road conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining control system implementability while significantly improving movement detection accuracy during dynamic operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the movement axes are fixed relative to the vehicle body, then the control calculations are more straightforward, but the control accuracy deteriorates when the vehicle experiences dynamic movements like cornering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol calculation simplicityVSAvoidbody movement measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of movement axes by calculating the center of gravity position in real-time based on sensor inputs. During cornering or dynamic maneuvers, the movement axes automatically shift to remain accurate relative to the actual center of gravity. This maintains computational tractability while dramatically improving measurement accuracy during dynamic vehicle operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from accelerometers and gyroscopes to continuously monitor actual vehicle movements and adjust the calculated center of gravity position accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the movement axes remain accurate even during dynamic conditions, resolving the contradiction between calculation simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the center of gravity position is not adjusted during dynamic driving, then the control system remains stable and simple, but driving comfort deteriorates due to incorrect control measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system stabilityVSAvoiddriving comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing a dynamic center of gravity calculation that adapts to driving conditions while maintaining control system stability. The system uses sensor feedback to continuously update the center of gravity position, ensuring accurate control measures during cornering and dynamic maneuvers. This improves driving comfort without compromising control system stability, as the adjustments are calculated based on actual measured movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2212133B1Method for influencing the movement of a motor vehicle body, the chain of movements of which can be controlled or adjusted
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2212133B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2212133B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2212133B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for generating signals for influencing the movement of the body of a vehicle, the chain of movements of which can be controlled or adjusted. According to the invention, the movement of the vehicle body is determined by sensors, the sensor signals that correspond to the determined sensor values are fed to a shock absorber controller and said controller delivers at least one control signal to control actuators, in particular semi-active or active shock absorbers which are used to influence the movement of the vehicle body. The shock absorber controller uses the sensor signals to influence a shifting, rolling or pitching movement of the vehicle body about a point on said vehicle body, the shock absorber controller defining the point variably in conjunction with the movement of the vehicle body.