Adaptive Suspension With Variable Wheel-Rate Transition for Vehicle Kneeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle kneeling systems face reliability and durability issues, often failing to function properly during normal driving operations and leaving the vehicle in a knelt position, and lack dynamic adjustment capabilities for suspension stiffness based on driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system that includes a telescopic damper, a rebound spring, and a force-transfer system allowing for dynamic control of wheel rate and kneeling function, enabling the system to remain inactive during non-kneeling operations and engage only when needed, with the ability to modify the wheel-travel value at which the wheel rate changes based on driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing kneeling systems are used to lower vehicle height, then the vehicle can provide level entry/exit path, but the system bears load during normal driving operation which causes reliability and durability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into separate functional components: a telescopic damper for normal suspension operation and a kneeling system with actuators for height adjustment. This segmentation allows the kneeling system to remain inactive during normal driving, bearing no load, and only activate when height adjustment is needed, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation for entry/exit
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between two operational states: a normal suspension mode where the telescopic damper handles all loads, and a kneeling mode where actuators are activated to adjust vehicle height. This dynamic operation ensures the kneeling system components only bear load when actively adjusting height, preventing the reliability issues caused by continuous load bearing
2Ease of operation
If existing kneeling systems are used to lower vehicle height, then the vehicle can provide level entry/exit path, but the system may fail and leave the vehicle stuck in knelt position
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the kneeling function from the normal suspension function into distinct components (telescopic damper vs. actuator-based kneeling system), the patent ensures that failure of the kneeling system does not affect the normal suspension operation. The vehicle can always return to its non-kneelt state through the independently functioning telescopic damper, improving ease of repair and failure recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates fail-safe mechanisms where the telescopic damper automatically maintains normal suspension function if the kneeling system fails. This self-service capability ensures the vehicle can always operate in non-kneeling mode without requiring external intervention or repair, effectively addressing the ease of repair concern
3Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive suspension systems are used to adjust wheel rate, then the suspension can provide stiffer or softer ride characteristics, but the systems are factory-set and do not allow dynamic adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the rebound spring gap through an actuator that can modify the gap size based on driving conditions. This allows the suspension to transition between softer and stiffer characteristics dynamically, providing adaptability while using a relatively simple actuator mechanism rather than complex factory-set adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of the rebound spring gap to dynamically adjust suspension characteristics. By varying the gap size, the rebound spring engages at different points in the suspension travel, effectively changing the wheel rate and providing adaptive ride characteristics without requiring complex control systems
4Ease of operation
If existing kneeling systems are used, then the vehicle can be knelt for entry/exit, but the system consumes energy continuously to maintain readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The kneeling system operates on a periodic or on-demand basis rather than continuously. The actuators are activated only when the driver requests a kneeling operation, and the system remains in a low-energy state during normal driving. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining the availability of the kneeling function when 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
The system ensures the vehicle can maintain typical driving functionality even in case of failure, reduces energy consumption, and provides adaptive ride comfort and handling by dynamically adjusting suspension stiffness according to operating modes.
Implementation Method 1
an active chamber of the internal rebound cylinder being arranged in fluid communication with a hydraulic system controllable to regulate a pressure in the active chamber
Implementation Method 2
a telescopic damper configured to mediate between respective sprung and unsprung portions of the wheel assembly
Implementation Method 3
a rebound spring arranged to moderate wheel travel
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a wheel assembly of a vehicle includes a telescopic damper configured to mediate between respective sprung and unsprung portions of the wheel assembly, a rebound spring arranged to moderate wheel travel, and a force-transfer system operative to apply a force to change one or more parameters of the suspension system. The application of the force by the force-transfer system is effective in a first operating mode to change a length of the telescopic damper and in a second operating mode to regulate a wheel rate of the wheel assembly. The force-transfer system is controllable to modify a wheel-travel value at which the wheel rate of the wheel assembly changes in the second mode of suspension operation.