Wireless Active Suspension Damping for Mixed-Terrain Ride Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in providing optimal performance across varying terrain and conditions, often requiring compromises that lead to new problems or performance changes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless active suspension system that includes sensors with low-power wireless communication capabilities mounted to the unsprung mass of a vehicle, which send data transmissions to a controller. The controller communicates adjustment commands to modify the damping characteristics of the vehicle's dampers, allowing for real-time adjustments based on terrain conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a harder suspension is used, then performance on smooth terrain is improved, but ride comfort on off-road environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts damping characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions detected by sensors. The controller modifies damper settings continuously, transitioning from hard suspension on smooth terrain to soft suspension on off-road terrain, resolving the contradiction between performance and comfort across different environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the damping parameter of the suspension system based on detected terrain conditions. By adjusting the damping coefficient from high (hard) to low (soft) depending on terrain type, the system optimizes both performance on smooth terrain and comfort on off-road terrain without requiring separate suspension systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a softer suspension is used, then ride comfort on off-road environments is improved, but performance on smooth terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts damping characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions detected by sensors. The controller modifies damper settings continuously, transitioning from soft suspension on off-road terrain to hard suspension on smooth terrain, resolving the contradiction between comfort and performance across different environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the damping parameter of the suspension system based on detected terrain conditions. By adjusting the damping coefficient from low (soft) to high (hard) depending on terrain type, the system optimizes both comfort on off-road terrain and performance on smooth terrain without requiring separate suspension systems.
3Loss of information
If wireless communication is implemented in sensors, then real-time data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor implements periodic communication only when terrain events are detected, rather than continuous transmission. The sensor remains in low-power sleep mode during normal operation and activates transmission only during significant terrain changes, maintaining real-time data capability while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously determines when communication is necessary based on detected terrain conditions. The sensor self-manages its power state, switching between sleep and active transmission modes based on event detection, eliminating the need for continuous power-consuming communication while maintaining system responsiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A wireless active suspension system (75) comprising: at least one sensor (35f, 35r, 95) mounted to an unsprung mass of a vehicle, said at least one sensor comprising a low-power wireless communication capability, said at least one sensor to send a sensor data transmission; and a controller (39) in wireless communication with said at least one sensor, wherein said controller receives said sensor data from said at least one sensor, and communicates an adjustment command to modify at least one damping characteristic of at least one damper (38, 288).