Grant: Idea to Innovation

University of Waterloo researchers will undertake an I2I Phase I project to further develop a novel pneumatic suspension system (PSS) for the highly competitive heavy vocational vehicle markets. Suspension design strongly affects the ride, handling, and stability of ground vehicles in a highly complex manner. This is especially more evident in heavy truck suspensions. In this project, a novel pneumatic spring with embedded independent stiffness and ride-height tunings developed and tested at the University of Waterloo will be designed and adapted specifically for a class 7 truck suspension to demonstrate the feasibility of the new pneumatic spring technology for the heavy vehicle market. Based on preliminary proof of concept analyses and experimental results conducted thus far, the new tuneable pneumatic spring could significantly improve suspension performance in ride comfort and stability. Based on their recently patented pneumatic spring, researchers will undertake design, simulation, and fabrication activities to adapt the technology to an existing heavy vehicle suspension system, specifically developing a full-scale PSS prototype for a class 7 truck. Full laboratory testing activities will also be conducted to ensure the PSS demonstrates potential for an enhanced compromise among ride, handling, and stability measures, exceeding industry standards for overall performance and safety. It is expected that at project completion, the laboratory testing and evaluation results will provide sufficient data to solidify partnerships with recently engaged potential investors and further stimulate interest from various Canadian receptors serving the heavy vehicle market, warranting higher-level full vehicle testing and evaluation activities (most likely within the context of an I2I Phase II project) and ultimately commercialization.