Variable-Stiffness Vehicle Spring for Comfort and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spring devices for motor vehicles face a trade-off between driving comfort and dynamics, as they cannot dynamically adapt their spring constant to changing driving situations or loads, leading to suboptimal performance in terms of comfort and stability.
Innovation Solution
A spring device comprising a spring unit and a stiffness adjusting unit that can dynamically change the spring constant in real-time, allowing for active adjustment based on the vehicle's load and driving conditions, using a stiffening element that can be controlled to increase or decrease the spring constant, and is integrated with a control apparatus for instant activation or deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passive springs with fixed spring constant are used, then the design is simple and reliable, but the suspension cannot adapt to different driving situations, leading to compromised comfort and dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device incorporates a stiffness adjusting unit that can dynamically change the spring constant of the spring unit based on driving situations. The control apparatus receives signals about vehicle state and actively adjusts the spring stiffness in real-time, transforming a static spring system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying conditions while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spring constant parameter of the spring unit from a fixed value to a variable value that can be adjusted based on driving conditions. The stiffness adjusting unit modifies the physical parameter of spring stiffness, enabling the same spring device to provide different suspension characteristics for comfort-oriented or dynamics-oriented driving modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active suspension systems with active counter-movement are used, then dynamic adaptation is achieved, but the system becomes complex, expensive, heavy, and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical active counter-movement system with a more efficient stiffness adjustment mechanism. Instead of using active dampers that generate counter-forces through mechanical movement, the system adjusts the spring constant itself, reducing the need for energy-intensive mechanical actuation while achieving similar adaptive effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of dynamic adaptation from the complex active suspension system and implements it through a dedicated stiffness adjusting unit that directly modifies spring properties. This separates the adaptation function from the need for full active counter-movement systems, reducing overall system complexity and energy requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If semi-active suspension with adjustable damper is used, then dynamic damping adjustment is possible, but the system is only dynamically effective, not statically, meaning compression cannot be prevented only delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by adjusting the spring constant in advance based on predicted or detected driving conditions. The control apparatus proactively modifies the spring stiffness before significant compression occurs, preventing excessive deflection rather than merely reacting to it, thereby improving both dynamic and static support effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the spring system dynamic by enabling real-time adjustment of the spring constant, allowing the suspension to adapt its static and dynamic characteristics based on driving situations. This transforms the previously static spring into a dynamic element that can optimize both comfort and support as needed.
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
Enables real-time adjustment of the spring constant to enhance both ride comfort and driving dynamics, improving responsiveness and reducing the need for complex, energy-intensive systems, while potentially replacing or reducing the size of other chassis components.
Implementation Method 1
the properties of the stiffening element change in response to an electric field or a magnetic field in such a way that the spring constant of the spring unit increases
Implementation Method 2
the properties of the stiffening element change in response to an electric field or a magnetic field in such a way that the spring constant of the spring unit increases
Data Source
AI summary
A spring device (1A, 1B) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising a spring unit (3) and a stiffness adjusting unit (15) configured to stiffen the spring unit (3) so as to dynamically vary the spring constant (k, k′) of the spring device (1A, 1B).