PRODUCT PROFILE 45
Ride performance technology
The engineering team at DRiV Ride Performance are continuing their pursuit of the perfect ride
ABOVE: The CVSA2/
Kinetic hardware
LEFT: DRiV’s
advanced
suspension
technologies
work to make
autonomous
vehicles safer and
more comfortable
May/June 2020 • VehicleDynamicsInternational.com
Kinetic system combines these advanced
dampers with a unique roll-control
system to enhance traction, steering
response, brake balance and comfort.
A broad range of vehicle dynamics
are largely dependent on tyre forces.
Until now, controlling these forces has
been practical only in test labs and on
virtual proving grounds. DRiV engineers
have developed advanced, computerbased
tyre-force vectoring simulations
that permit almost infinitely variable
››Modern research tools such as
computer-based simulations are
helping scientists and engineers
accelerate the development of countless
new products, from pharmaceuticals
to buildings and bridges, to new forms
of mobility. They are also proving to
be invaluable during the global health
crisis, when social distancing and other
restrictions have impacted virtually
every form of commerce.
For members of the Monroe®
Intelligent Suspension (MIS™) team
at DRiV Ride Performance, computer
modelling continues to accelerate
progress in several areas, including the
development of next-generation original
equipment (OE) electronic suspensions
and innovative motion-control strategies
that will help enable safe, comfortable
and reliable autonomous driving.
MIS engineers are using computer
simulations to gain a deeper
understanding of the physical forces that
can be mitigated through suspension
controls. MIS engineers use computerbased
structural modelling tools to
extend the lifetime of the suspension
while reducing its weight, and thus
vehicle weight, by analysing new
designs, manufacturing processes, the
characteristics of new materials, and
other innovations. The secret is to
have just enough material at any place
on the damper. This can be done by
adding material locally or shaping the
material as a function of the actual
loads. In order to know dynamic loads,
MIS engineers use tools that are also
used extensively to predict the handling
dynamics of vehicles equipped with
next-generation dampers and to derive
the loads on the dampers. Equally
challenging is predicting ride dynamics
for suspension systems in a vehicle
that exists only in a conceptual state.
As one example, this approach
helped accelerate the development
of lightweight dampers featured in
the Monroe Intelligent Suspension
CVSA2 and CVSA2/Kinetic semi-active
suspensions. These electronic dampers
feature two electro-hydraulic valves
that independently control rebound
and compression motions, resulting in a
much wider tuning range, and increased
ride comfort and control. The CVSA2/
levels of optimised force distribution
between a vehicle’s four corners. The
company believes this will empower
OEMs to achieve dramatically improved
vehicle agility for enhanced active
safety and driver comfort. Additionally,
when applied in combination with
conventional vectoring in an electric
vehicle, modelling shows that tyre force
vectoring can result in a 14% energy
saving when cornering, and can be used
in concert with other vehicle systems
such as ESP, TCS and ABS.
Eliminating motion sickness – perhaps
the greatest barrier to widespread
adoption of AVs – is another challenge
well suited to computer-based models.
DRiV engineers are using highly
sophisticated simulations to measure
how passengers perceive motion within
an autonomous vehicle; this is called
perception modelling. This intelligence
is being used to reinvent the vehicle
‘corner’ in the form of smart motion
control that adds an additional ‘human’
layer over traditional braking, steering
and suspension functions.
As with any new technology, consumer
adoption of self-driving cars will depend
on a variety of practical and emotional
attributes, including feeling energised,
excited and being in control. Trust is
established through positive experiences,
so building a track record of safe, reliable
operation will help OEMs overcome this
barrier. Comfort – and particularly the
issue of motion sickness – will prove to
be a more difficult challenge, however,
without significant innovation by OEMs
and their technology partners.
Just as autonomous driving will
revolutionise consumers’ approach to
mobility, it is already transforming the
innovation process. DRiV has solicited
extensive input, not only from experts
in the vehicle dynamics field, but from
those who are re-thinking the designs
of tyres, roads and other elements. For
DRiV Ride Performance, the purpose is
to elevate the ride experience through
advanced and innovative technology in
every car, every ride, every race and
every journey.
READER ENQUIRY SERVICE
To learn more from DriV, visit
www.magupdate.co.uk/pvdi
/VehicleDynamicsInternational.com
/pvdi