Core Systems of The Intelligent Chassis

Today, automobiles are becoming increasingly intelligent. While we often discuss cutting-edge technologies like autonomous driving and smart cockpits, the car's chassis—the core component responsible for "movement"—is undergoing a quiet yet profound revolution. Traditionally, the chassis has been a passive system made of steel, hydraulic lines, and mechanical linkages, faithfully executing every command from the driver. The advent of the Intelligent Chassis, however, has endowed vehicles with the ability to perceive, process, and optimize their own dynamics. It acts as the vehicle's "intelligent skeleton," serving as the indispensable physical foundation for advanced driver-assistance systems and future autonomous driving.

An intelligent chassis is not a single piece of magic technology but the result of several core systems working in synergy. Its intelligence primarily relies on the comprehensive innovation of three core systems: Intelligent Braking (Brake-by-Wire), Intelligent Steering (Steer-by-Wire), and Intelligent Suspension (Suspension-by-Wire). Together, they elevate driving safety, ride comfort, and handling pleasure to new heights.

Core One: The Intelligent Braking System – A Faster, More Accurate Safety Guardian

Braking is the last line of defense for automotive safety. Traditional braking systems rely on the driver's foot pressure, transmitted hydraulically to the wheels. While reliable, this process has inherent physical delays and power transmission losses.

The intelligent braking system, known as brake-by-wire, fundamentally changes this model. The current mainstream and highly efficient solution is the One-box Integrated Brake-by-Wire System. Its working principle can be simply understood as "signal control, motor execution":

1. Signal Perception: When you press      the brake pedal, sensors connected to the pedal precisely measure the      depth and speed of your press. However, instead of directly pushing brake      fluid, they convert this "braking intent" into an electronic      signal.

2. Intelligent Decision-Making: This      signal is instantly transmitted to the vehicle's electronic control brain      (ECU). The ECU synthesizes vast amounts of information—such as current      speed, the rotation speed of each wheel, and whether the body is      skidding—to calculate the most reasonable and effective braking force      distribution plan within milliseconds.

3. Precise Execution: The ECU directly      commands a high-performance motor, which drives a hydraulic pump to      quickly build precise braking pressure and distribute it to all four      wheels.

The benefits of this system are tangible:

• Enhanced Safety: Motor pressure      buildup is far faster than traditional vacuum boosters, potentially      shortening emergency braking response time by hundreds of milliseconds.      This "instant" can be critical in avoiding accidents. It is also      key to enabling the reliable and precise execution of Automatic Emergency      Braking (AEB) functions.

• Increased Range: For electric      vehicles, it can seamlessly coordinate with the electric drive system.      During braking, the system prioritizes using the motor for energy      regeneration (converting kinetic energy into electrical energy), only      engaging the mechanical brakes when necessary. This significantly improves      energy efficiency, effectively extending the driving range.

• Optimized Experience: Since the      pedal is "decoupled" from the braking force, the brake pedal      feel can be freely adjusted via software. It can provide the sensitive,      direct feel of a sports car or the soft, linear feel of a comfort-oriented      vehicle.

Core Two: The Intelligent Steering System – A Flexible and Liberating Control Innovator

The steering wheel is the most direct communication link between the driver and the vehicle. Traditional steering systems use a rigid mechanical connection via a steering column and rack; the wheels turn exactly as much as the steering wheel is turned.

The intelligent steering system, or steer-by-wire, breaks this rigid link. It replaces the physical steering column between the steering wheel and the front wheels with a complete chain of electrical signal transmission and execution:

1. Intent Interpretation: The steering      wheel becomes a high-precision signal generator. When turned, sensors      capture the angle and torque, sending these signals to the control unit.

2. Calculation and Feedback: Based on      information like vehicle speed and driving mode, the control unit      calculates the required steering angle for the wheels. Simultaneously, it      generates simulated "road feel" feedback force, delivered to the      driver through a feedback motor in the steering wheel, ensuring a      realistic handling sensation.

3. Independent Execution: The steering      command is ultimately executed independently by a motor installed on the      steering mechanism, which drives the wheels to turn.

This transformation unlocks new possibilities:

• Liberated Space and Design:      Eliminating the steering column offers great freedom for interior design,      enabling future cabin concepts like retractable steering wheels and      optimized legroom.

• Personalized Driving Experience:      Steering feel is no longer fixed. It can be made very light for parking      and automatically heavier for high-speed cruising to enhance stability.      The steering ratio can also be variable, agile at low speeds and steady at      high speeds.

• Foundation for Autonomous Driving:      It provides a direct channel for autonomous driving systems to control      vehicle steering, forming the underlying basis for all lateral control      functions like automated parking and lane keeping.

Core Three: The Intelligent Suspension System – The Smooth and Comfortable Road Iron

The suspension system connects the wheels to the vehicle body, directly impacting bump absorption and cornering support. The stiffness of traditional suspension springs and the damping of shock absorbers are fixed or change passively.

The intelligent suspension system is an "active perception and adjustment" system. The most technologically mature and widely applied combination currently is "Air Springs + CDC (Continuous Damping Control) Shock Absorbers."

1. Constant Perception: A network of      sensors distributed across the body continuously monitors body height,      acceleration, and wheel movement.

2. Millisecond-Level Adjustment: The      control unit performs calculations hundreds of times per second. Upon      sensing a bumpy road, it immediately commands the shock absorber valves to      open, softening the damping to efficiently absorb impacts. When it detects      rapid cornering or emergency lane changes, it commands the valves to close      and stiffens the air springs, providing strong lateral support to suppress      body roll.

3. Multi-function Extension: Beyond      dynamic adjustment, air springs can also adjust the overall ride height,      lowering the body at high speeds to reduce drag and raising the chassis      off-road to improve capability.

Its value is directly felt in the driving and riding experience:

• Having Your Cake and Eating It Too:      It excellently resolves the traditional conflict between comfort and      handling. Regardless of road conditions, it strives to keep the wheels      firmly on the ground and the cabin stable.

• Intelligent Scenario Adaptation: It      can switch the entire suspension character with one button based on      different driving modes (Comfort, Sport, Off-road) and automatically      maintain level ride height, ensuring consistent driving posture whether      fully loaded or empty.

System Synergy: The Ultimate Form of the Intelligent Chassis

The strength of individual systems is just the foundation. The highest achievement of the intelligent chassis lies in synergy. Through a higher-level Chassis Domain Controller, the braking, steering, and suspension systems can share information and be coordinated under unified command.

For example, during an emergency avoidance maneuver:

1. The steering system executes a rapid steering command.

2. The braking system instantly applies precise braking force to      the inner rear wheel, generating a yaw moment that helps the vehicle turn      faster and more stably.

3. The suspension system strongly supports the outer wheels,      minimizing body roll to the greatest extent.

This series of complex operations is completed in seamless harmony in an instant, with stability and safety far exceeding the limits of human operation. This integrated, three-dimensional (lateral, longitudinal, vertical)coordinated control marks the official evolution of the automotive chassis from a "passive execution mechanism" to an "active intelligent carrier."

Conclusion

The evolution of the core systems of the intelligent chassis clearly outlines the technological path for the transformation of automobiles from traditional mechanical products to highly intelligent mobile terminals. Brake-by-Wire, Steer-by-Wire, and Suspension-by-Wire, as the three pillars, are redefining the standards for vehicle safety, efficiency, and experience. Their maturity and widespread adoption represent a solid and crucial step in the intelligent transformation of the automotive industry.

HOLS Automation, as a seasoned player in the field of industrial automation, consistently monitors the development wave of intelligent chassis technology. We deeply understand that the large-scale, high-consistency production of these precision core components relies on advanced intelligent manufacturing solutions. We focus on providing industry customers with highly reliable, flexible automated production lines, covering the entire process from key component assembly to full-system functional testing. With solid manufacturing technology, we aim to support the reliable advancement of the intelligent chassis era.