Wheel Steering Angle Control for Adaptive Chassis Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a conflict between achieving improved ride comfort and improved driving dynamics in vehicle design, with existing solutions often prioritizing stiffness at the expense of comfort, and there is a need for situation-specific adaptation of chassis characteristics to address this conflict.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wheel steering angle controller that adjusts the vehicle's chassis characteristics to reduce stiffness, actuated based on driving situations, using a computing unit to selectively influence the vehicle's stiffness behavior, particularly through actuation during acceleration and braking processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stiffer chassis design is used, then driving dynamics and safety are improved, but ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the chassis stiffness to be dynamically adjusted based on driving conditions. The control system selectively actuates the wheel steering angle controller to change the toe angle, which in turn adjusts the effective stiffness of the vehicle assembly. This allows the chassis to transition between softer and stiffer states depending on whether ride comfort or driving dynamics is the priority, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the toe angle of the vehicle wheels through actuation of the wheel steering angle controller. This parameter change (toe angle) directly influences the stiffness behavior of the vehicle assembly. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system can compensate for the stiffness characteristics introduced by a softer chassis design, thereby achieving both improved ride comfort and adequate driving dynamics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional chassis components are added to resolve the conflict, then driving dynamics are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by making the wheel steering angle controller serve multiple functions. In addition to its primary steering function, the controller is used to adjust the stiffness behavior of the vehicle assembly by changing the toe angle. This multi-functional use of an existing component avoids the need for additional dedicated chassis components, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving driving dynamics and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the self-service principle by using the wheel steering angle controller to self-adjust the chassis stiffness characteristics. The control system monitors driving conditions and automatically actuates the controller to modify the toe angle, allowing the vehicle to self-regulate its stiffness behavior without requiring additional active components or complex mechanical adjustments.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheel steering angle controller is continuously actuated to maintain stiffness, then driving dynamics are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the periodic action principle by actuating the wheel steering angle controller only during specific driving situations when stiffness adjustment is needed, rather than continuously. The control system selectively activates the controller based on monitored driving conditions, allowing the system to maintain adequate driving dynamics while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous actuation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for influencing a stiffness behavior of a vehicle assembly of a vehicle includes changing a wheel steering angle of at least one vehicle wheel of the vehicle using at least one wheel steering angle controller of a steering system of the vehicle, and reducing a stiffness of the vehicle assembly by configuring and/or adapting a chassis characteristic of the vehicle. The method further includes actuating the at least one wheel steering angle controller in at least one driving mode state to selectively influence the stiffness behavior of the vehicle assembly, such that a change in the stiffness of the vehicle assembly caused by the configuration and/or adaptation of the chassis characteristic is compensated as a function of a driving situation.