Vehicle Ride Height Adjustment for Collision Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles equipped with hydraulic suspension systems face safety concerns during collisions due to potential rupture, leading to hydraulic fluid spray and aerosolization, which can ignite on hot surfaces or leak into the environment, posing risks to occupants and bystanders.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a safety system that detects potential collisions and reduces hydraulic fluid pressure in the suspension system by depressurizing specific components or adjusting ride height to minimize fluid spray and aerosolization, using sensors to determine collision probability and mitigating actions such as routing fluid to a low-pressure reservoir or releasing pressurized gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic suspension systems operate at high pressure for normal vehicle function, then suspension performance and ride quality are improved, but the risk of hydraulic fluid spray and aerosolization during collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension performanceVSAvoidhydraulic fluid spray risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary depressurization of the hydraulic suspension system when a collision is detected, routing hydraulic fluid from high-pressure suspension components to a low-pressure reservoir before the collision occurs. This preliminary action reduces the pressure and potential energy of the hydraulic fluid, thereby minimizing spray and aerosolization risks during the subsequent collision event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If hydraulic fluid pressure is reduced to minimize spray risk, then safety during collision is improved, but suspension system effectiveness is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic fluid spray riskVSAvoidsuspension effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure based on real-time collision detection. During normal operation, the suspension system maintains high pressure for optimal performance. When a collision is detected, the system rapidly transitions to a low-pressure state to minimize spray risks. This dynamic pressure adjustment allows the system to optimize both performance and safety depending on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting potential collisions and preemptively reducing hydraulic pressure to counteract the harmful effects that would otherwise occur during impact. This preliminary counter-measure prevents the exacerbation of spray and aerosolization problems during the collision event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Loss of time

If the system rapidly depressurizes the hydraulic system during predicted collision, then safety response time is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision response timeVSAvoidhydraulic control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses collision detection technology to identify potential collision scenarios in advance, providing sufficient time to initiate the depressurization sequence before impact occurs. This preliminary detection and response approach enables rapid safety intervention without requiring overly complex real-time control systems during the actual collision event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces the risk of hydraulic fluid spray and aerosolization during collisions, enhancing safety for vehicle occupants, bystanders, and the environment by minimizing the risk of ignition or combustion.

Implementation Method 1

routing pressurized hydraulic fluid from the suspension system to a low-pressure reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid pressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

releasing pressurized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized gas release: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS11577718B1Adjusting vehicle ride height based on predicted collision

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 ZOOX INC

AI summary

A vehicle may receive sensor data captured by a sensor of the vehicle, determine that the sensor data represents an object in the environment, and determine an impact location between the vehicle and the object. The impact location may be associated with a predicted collision between the vehicle and the object. The vehicle may also determine an object type corresponding to the object and/or a characteristic of the object. Based at least in part on the impact location, object type, and/or the characteristic, a ride height of the vehicle may be adjusted.