Vehicle Level Control via GPS Road Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional level control systems for vehicle bodies adjust the height only after road conditions have deteriorated or improved, which is disadvantageous for safety, comfort, and fuel consumption, and require sensor systems to determine acceleration values.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that adjust the distance between the vehicle body and wheel suspension to a variably predeterminable level setpoint by activating a spring system, using GPS and road map data to determine the current road type and automatically set the desired level value, with the option for manual override and storage of driver settings for future reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the desired level value is reduced to improve fuel consumption on motorways, then fuel consumption decreases, but safety and comfort deteriorate on roads with poor surface conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The desired level value is made dynamically adjustable based on detected road type. The system automatically adapts the vehicle body height to different road conditions (motorway vs. poor surface conditions), optimizing fuel consumption on motorways while maintaining safety and comfort on roads with poor surface conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of vehicle body height (level value) based on road type detection. By varying this parameter according to the detected road conditions, the system achieves fuel efficiency on motorways while preserving safety and comfort on roads with poor surface conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If acceleration sensors are used to determine road conditions, then road condition detection is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical acceleration sensors with a GPS-based detection method. By using GPS position data combined with road map information, the system determines road type without requiring additional mechanical sensing equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces GPS and road map data as intermediary information sources. Instead of directly measuring acceleration with sensors, the system uses GPS position data and compares it with stored road map information to indirectly determine road type, simplifying the overall system architecture
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
Reduces fuel consumption by optimizing vehicle height based on road type, improving safety and comfort by adjusting height proactively and allowing for data sharing among vehicles to enhance level control precision.
Implementation Method 1
an aerodynamic surface element arranged in the floor area on the front side of the motor vehicle is extended to reduce air turbulence on the underside of the vehicle when the desired level value is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the level control of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle, wherein distance values between the vehicle body and the wheel suspension are determined and adjusted to a variably predefinable level setpoint by controlling a spring system. According to general principles of the invention, a current road type is determined based on a vehicle position and road map data (S4), and the level setpoint is determined based on the determined road type (S5, S6).