Wireless Active Suspension for Real-Time Terrain Damping Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in adapting to varying terrain conditions, leading to compromises in ride comfort, performance, and stability, particularly due to issues like pedal bob, uneven ride height, and unsuitable suspension settings during load changes.

Innovation Solution

A wireless active suspension system utilizing sensors and a controller to adjust suspension characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions, eliminating the need for wired components and allowing for rapid response to terrain changes, thereby enhancing ride comfort and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a harder suspension is used, then performance on smooth terrain is improved, but ride comfort on off-road terrain deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance on smooth terrainVSAvoidride comfort on off-road terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system dynamically adjusts its characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions. Sensors detect terrain type and the controller modifies damping coefficients and spring stiffness accordingly, allowing the system to transition from hard suspension on smooth terrain to soft suspension on off-road terrain, resolving the contradiction between performance and comfort across different conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the suspension components (damping coefficient, spring stiffness) based on detected terrain conditions. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically, enabling the suspension to optimize performance for smooth terrain while maintaining comfort on rough terrain, thus resolving the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a softer suspension is used, then ride comfort on off-road terrain is improved, but performance on smooth terrain deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveride comfort on off-road terrainVSAvoidperformance on smooth terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system dynamically adjusts its characteristics in real-time based on terrain conditions. Sensors detect terrain type and the controller modifies damping coefficients and spring stiffness accordingly, allowing the system to transition from soft suspension on off-road terrain to hard suspension on smooth terrain, resolving the contradiction between comfort and performance across different conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the suspension components (damping coefficient, spring stiffness) based on detected terrain conditions. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically, enabling the suspension to optimize comfort on rough terrain while maintaining performance on smooth terrain, thus resolving the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If wired components are used for suspension control, then system reliability is improved, but installation complexity and vulnerability to damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity and vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. Sensors and controllers communicate suspension data and control signals wirelessly, eliminating physical wires that are vulnerable to damage and complex to install, while maintaining system reliability through robust wireless communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the wiring infrastructure from the suspension system. By taking out the wires and connectors, the system reduces installation complexity and vulnerability to mechanical damage while maintaining functional reliability through wireless communication between components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12428098B2Wireless active suspension system

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 FOX FACTORY INC

AI summary

A wireless active suspension system is disclosed. The system includes at least one sensor mounted to an unsprung mass of a vehicle, the sensor having a low power wireless communication capability, the at least one sensor to send a sensor data transmission. The system also includes a controller in wireless communication with the at least one sensor, wherein the controller receives the sensor data from the at least one sensor and communicates an adjustment command to modify at least one damping characteristic of at least one damper.