Extension front fork and suspension system

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide an extension front fork and a suspension system that generate extension damping force capable of improving the responsiveness of damping force generation. [Solution] The extension front fork FE comprises a fork body F and an extension damper DE housed within the fork body F. The extension damper DE comprises a cylinder 10, a piston rod 11, a piston 12 that divides the inside of the cylinder 10 into an extension chamber R1 and a compression chamber R2, an extension damping valve 21 that provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2, a first check valve 20 that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, a second check valve 25 that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the liquid reservoir chamber R, and a suction check valve 24 that allows only the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir chamber R to the compression chamber R2. The opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a front fork on the extension side and a suspension device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a suspension device interposed between the vehicle body of a saddle-riding type vehicle and the front wheels is configured to include a pair of left and right front forks, and a damper is built into each front fork.

[0003] More specifically, each front fork includes, for example, a vehicle body side tube, an axle side tube that is axially movable relative to the vehicle body side tube, a cap that closes the upper end of the vehicle body side tube, an axle bracket that closes the lower end of the axle side tube and holds the axle of the front wheel, a fork body, and a damper housed in the fork body.

[0004] The damper includes a cylinder whose lower end is fixed to the axle bracket, a piston rod whose upper end is connected to the cap and is inserted into the cylinder, a piston that is attached to the tip of the piston rod and is slidably inserted into the cylinder to partition the inside of the cylinder into an extension chamber and a compression chamber, a valve disk that partitions between a chamber inserted into the lower side of the cylinder and communicating with a reservoir chamber outside the cylinder through a hole provided in the cylinder and the compression chamber, an extension port and a compression port provided in the piston, an extension damping valve that opens and closes the extension port to resist the flow of liquid from the extension chamber to the compression chamber, a compression check valve that opens and closes the compression port to allow only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the extension chamber, a compression damping port and a suction port provided in the valve disk, a compression damping valve that opens and closes the compression damping port to resist the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the reservoir, and a suction check valve that opens and closes the suction port to allow only the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the compression chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-201214 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In conventional suspension systems, each damper in each front fork can generate both rebound and compression damping forces. However, adjusting these forces must be done individually for each damper, making the adjustment process cumbersome.

[0007] Therefore, by making the damper housed in one front fork a rebound damper that generates damping force only during extension, and the damper housed in the other front fork a compression damper that generates damping force only during compression, the rebound damping force can be adjusted using the rebound damper, and the compression damping force can be adjusted using the compression damper, making the adjustment process easier.

[0008] In the extension damper 100, since the generation of compression damping force is unnecessary, as shown in Figure 4, the valve disc, the compression damping valve that resists the flow of hydraulic fluid from the compression chamber 101 to the liquid reservoir chamber 102, and the suction check valve that only allows the flow of hydraulic fluid from the liquid reservoir chamber 102 to the compression chamber 101 are eliminated, and a structure is adopted in which the compression chamber 101 communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber 102 through a hole 104 provided in the cylinder 103.

[0009] In the extension damper 100 employing this structure, when extension operation is performed, the extension damping valve 106 provided on the piston 105 increases the pressure in the extension chamber, generating a damping force that hinders extension operation.

[0010] On the other hand, in the extension damper 100, when it contracts, the piston 105 reduces the compression chamber 101 and expands the extension chamber 107. As a result, the compression check valve 108, which only allows the flow of liquid from the compression chamber 101 to the extension chamber 107, opens, and the hydraulic fluid moves from the compression chamber 101 to the extension chamber 107, and from the compression chamber 101 to the liquid reservoir chamber 102 through the hole 104 in the cylinder 103.

[0011] In the extension damper 100, the hydraulic fluid moves from the compression chamber 101 to the liquid reservoir chamber 102 with almost no resistance during the contraction operation, so the pressure in the compression chamber 101 does not increase. However, the compression check valve 108 provides slight resistance to the flow of the hydraulic fluid, so as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the amount of hydraulic fluid supplied from the compression chamber 101 to the extension chamber 107 tends to be insufficient, and the pressure in the extension chamber 107 may become lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0012] Thus, in the extension damper 100 employing the aforementioned structure, during contraction, the hydraulic fluid in the extension chamber 107 becomes insufficient, causing the pressure inside the extension chamber 107 to drop excessively and tend to fall below atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when the direction of expansion and contraction of the damper 100 changes, switching from contraction to extension, it takes time for the pressure in the extension chamber 107 to rise, resulting in a deterioration of the responsiveness of the extension damping force generation.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an extension front fork and suspension system that primarily generate extension damping force, which can improve the responsiveness of damping force generation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To solve the aforementioned problems, the extension front fork of the present invention comprises a fork body having a vehicle body side tube and an axle side tube, which extend and retract as the vehicle body side tube and the axle side tube move relative to each other in the axial direction, and an extension damper housed within the fork body and generating damping force during extension operation, the extension damper comprising a cylinder connected to either the vehicle body side tube or the wheel side tube, a piston rod connected to the other of the vehicle body side tube or the wheel side tube and movable in the axial direction within the cylinder, and a component connected to the piston rod The fork includes a piston that is axially movable inside the cylinder and divides the inside of the cylinder into an extension chamber and a compression chamber, an extension damping valve that resists the flow of liquid from the extension chamber to the compression chamber, a first check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the extension chamber, a second check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to a liquid reservoir chamber located inside the fork body but outside the extension damper, and a suction check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir chamber to the compression chamber, wherein the opening pressure of the second check valve is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve.

[0015] In this configuration of the extension front fork, both the first and second check valves are check valves that do not provide much resistance to the flow of liquid through which they pass. Since the opening pressure of the second check valve is higher than that of the first check valve, the first check valve opens before the second check valve. Therefore, in the extension damper, when the extension damper is contracted, it is prevented that an excessive amount of liquid is discharged from the compression chamber to the liquid reservoir chamber through the second check valve, allowing the liquid to move smoothly from the compression chamber to the extension chamber, and making it less likely for a shortage of liquid to occur in the extension chamber.

[0016] Therefore, with the extension front fork, when the extension damper is compressed, there is no tendency for the fluid in the extension chamber to become insufficient, and a situation in which the pressure in the extension chamber drops excessively can be suppressed. As a result, even when the direction of extension and compression of the extension damper changes and it switches from compression to extension, the pressure in the extension chamber is quickly increased.

[0017] Furthermore, the opening pressure of the second check valve in the extension front fork may be set to a value such that the extension chamber does not fall below atmospheric pressure when the extension damper is contracting. With an extension front fork configured in this way, the damping force generated when the extension damper is contracting is reduced, and the responsiveness of the extension damping force can be improved without adversely affecting the characteristics of the compression damping force generated by the compression front fork in the suspension system.

[0018] Furthermore, the suspension system includes a compression front fork having a body-side tube and an axle-side tube, which generates damping force when the body-side tube and the axle-side tube move relative to each other in the axial direction and contract, and an extension front fork, wherein the damping force generated when the extension damper contracts may be set lower than the damping force generated when the compression front fork contracts. Moreover, the damping force generated when the extension damper contracts may be set to be sufficiently smaller than the damping force generated when the compression front fork contracts. With a suspension system configured in this way, it is possible to improve the responsiveness of the extension damping force generation while enjoying the advantage of easy adjustment of the overall extension damping force and compression damping force. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the suspension device of the present invention, the extension damping force and the compression damping force can be adjusted at the upper end of the front fork. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle to which a suspension system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the extension front fork of a suspension system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the compression front fork of a suspension system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the extension front fork in a conventional suspension system. [Figure 5]It is a diagram showing the pressure fluctuation of the extension chamber when the extension damper expands and contracts.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a suspension device S includes an extension front fork FE and a compression front fork FC, and is interposed between a vehicle body B of a saddle-ride type vehicle V such as a motorcycle or a trike and a front wheel W to suspend the front wheel W.

[0022] Hereinafter, each part of the suspension device S will be described in detail. The extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC have some common members. In the description of each part of the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC, unless otherwise specified in this document, for the members common to the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC, parts of both the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC are shown.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device S includes an extension front fork FE, a compression front fork FC, and a pair of upper and lower brackets 1 and 2 that grip the upper ends of the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC. The brackets 1 and 2 are attached to a steering shaft that is rotatably inserted into a head pipe P provided at the tip of the vehicle body B of the saddle-ride type vehicle V, and are rotatably connected to the vehicle body B in the circumferential direction of the head pipe P. The upper ends of the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC are gripped by the brackets 1 and 2 that are rotatably connected to the vehicle body B in the circumferential direction of the head pipe P, and the axle Ws of the front wheel W is connected to the lower ends. Thus, the suspension device S suspends the front wheel W with respect to the vehicle body B of the saddle-ride type vehicle V by a pair of left and right extension front forks FE and compression front forks FC.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the extension front fork FE and compression front fork FC each have a fork body F that can extend and retract due to the relative axial movement between the vehicle body tube 3 and the axle tube 4, a fork body F that can extend and retract due to the relative axial movement between the vehicle body tube 3 and the axle tube 4, and a fork body DE or compression damper DC housed within the fork body F. The extension damper DE is a one-sided damper that primarily exerts damping force during extension, and the compression damper DC is a one-sided damper that primarily generates damping force during contraction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a cap 5 is attached to the open end of the upper end of the vehicle body side tube 3, and the cap 5 closes the upper end of the vehicle body side tube 3. The axle side tube 4 is inserted into the vehicle body side tube 3 from below and can move relative to the vehicle body side tube 3 in the axial direction. An annular bush 7 and an annular sealing member 8 are provided on the inner circumference of the lower end of the vehicle body side tube 3, which slide against the outer circumference of the axle side tube 4, and an annular bush 9 is attached to the outer circumference of the upper end of the axle side tube 4, which slides against the inner circumference of the vehicle body side tube 3. Therefore, the vehicle body side tube 3 and the axle side tube 4 can move axially without axial wobble from each other due to the bushes 7 and 9.

[0026] The lower end of the axle-side tube 4 is closed by an axle bracket 6 that grips the axle Ws of the front wheel W, and the fork body F is connected to the front wheel W by the axle bracket 6. The inside of the fork body F configured in this way is a space that is sealed from the outside by a sealing member 8. The axle bracket 6 is a bottomed cylindrical shape and is fixed to the outer circumference of the lower end of the axle-side tube 4 by screw fastening, and has a gripping portion 6a at its lower end for gripping the axle Ws. Although not shown in the figures, the axle bracket 6 is provided with mounting portions that allow for the attachment of brake calipers, fenders, etc.

[0027] The extension damper DE and compression damper DC housed within the fork body F each have a cylinder 10 connected to the axle-side tube 4 via an axle bracket 6, a piston rod 11 inserted into the cylinder 10 so as to be axially movable and whose upper end is connected to the vehicle-side tube 3 via a cap 5, and a piston 12 connected to the piston rod 11 and inserted into the cylinder 10, dividing the inside of the cylinder 10 into an extension chamber R1 and a compression chamber R2, which are filled with liquid. The extension and compression occur as the piston rod 11 moves in and out of the cylinder 10 in conjunction with the extension and compression of the fork body F. As mentioned above, the extension damper DE and compression damper DC are arranged upright within the fork body F with the cylinder 10 connected to the axle-side tube 4 and the piston rod 11 connected to the vehicle body-side tube 3, so that the cylinder 10 is at the bottom and the piston rod 11 is at the top. However, the cylinder 10 may be connected to the vehicle body-side tube 3 and the piston rod 11 may be connected to the axle-side tube 4, so that the cylinder 10 is at the top and the piston rod 11 is at the bottom within the fork body F, so that it is at the top.

[0028] When the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC are housed within the fork body F in this manner, a liquid reservoir R is formed outside the extension damper DE and outside the compression damper DC, respectively, within the fork body F, where liquid is stored.

[0029] Furthermore, a suspension spring 19 is housed within the fork body F, interposed between the cap 5 and the cylinder 10, and constantly biasing the fork body F in an extension direction. Therefore, when the suspension device S is interposed between the vehicle body B and the front wheel W of a saddle-type vehicle V, the extension front fork FE and the compression front fork FC elastically support the vehicle body B through the resilient force exerted by the suspension spring 19.

[0030] The components constituting the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC will be described below. The cylinder 10 is screw-connected to an adapter 13 housed on the inner circumference of the axle bracket 6 in the fork body F, and is connected to the axle bracket 6 via the adapter 13. The adapter 13 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with a flange 13a on the outer circumference of its bottom. The flange 13a is sandwiched between the bottom of the axle bracket 6 and the axle-side tube 4, which is screw-fastened to the axle bracket 6, and is fixed in a state where it is housed within the axle bracket 6. The cylinder 10 has a threaded portion (not shown) on the outer circumference of its lower end, which is screw-connected to the threaded portion provided on the inner circumference of the adapter 13 and connected to the axle bracket 6 via the adapter 13.

[0031] Furthermore, the cylinder 10 in the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC is provided with a through-hole 10a that opens from the side of the lower end and connects the inside of the cylinder 10 with the liquid reservoir R outside the cylinder 10. In addition, the cylinder 10 in the compression damper DC is provided with a through-hole 10b that opens from the side near the upper end and serves as a passage connecting the inside of the cylinder 10 with the liquid reservoir R outside the cylinder 10.

[0032] An annular rod guide 14 is attached to the upper open end of the cylinder 10 in the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC. The rod guide 14 is annular and slides against the outer circumference of the piston rod 11, which is screwed into the inner circumference of the upper end of the cylinder 10 and inserted through the inner circumference. The rod guide 14 closes the upper end of the cylinder 10 and guides the movement of the piston rod 11 in the vertical direction shown in Figures 2 and 3, which is the axial direction of the cylinder 10.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the piston rod 11 includes a small-diameter portion 11a provided at the lower end of the figure, which is the tip, and whose outer diameter is smaller than that of the upper side; a threaded portion 11b provided on the outer circumference of the tip of the small-diameter portion 11a; and a stepped portion 11c formed at the boundary between the small-diameter portion 11a and the upper side.

[0034] An annular piston 12 is connected to the outer circumference of the small-diameter portion 11a at the tip of the piston rod 11, and the piston rod 11 can move vertically within the cylinder 10 together with the piston 12 in the axial direction as shown in Figures 2 and 3. As mentioned above, the piston 12 is annular and is inserted into the cylinder 10 so as to be movable in the axial direction, dividing the inside of the cylinder 10 into an extension chamber R1 and a compression chamber R2, both of which are filled with liquid. In the compression damper DC, the cylinder 10 is equipped with a through hole 10b, so in the compression damper DC, the extension chamber R1, which is partitioned by the piston 12, is connected to a liquid reservoir chamber R outside the compression damper DC. In this case, the extension chamber R1 and the liquid reservoir chamber R are connected by a through hole 10b which is a passage provided in the cylinder 10, but the passage connecting the extension chamber R1 and the liquid reservoir chamber R may also be provided in the rod guide 14 in addition to the cylinder 10.

[0035] Furthermore, the piston 12 is equipped with a first piston port 12a and a second piston port 12b that connect the extension chamber R1 and the compression chamber R2. The cylinder 10 is filled with liquid, and the liquid reservoir chamber R is filled with gas in addition to the liquid that fills the cylinder 10. The liquid that fills the cylinder 10 and the liquid reservoir chamber R is generally hydraulic oil, but it may also be water, an aqueous solution, or the like.

[0036] In the extension damper DE, a first check valve 20 is stacked above the piston 12 in Figure 2, which allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1. In the extension damper DE, an extension damping valve 21 is stacked below the piston 12 in Figure 2, which provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2.

[0037] In the extension front fork FE of this embodiment, the first check valve 20 consists of an annular valve body stacked above the piston 12 in Figure 2 and mounted so as to be axially movable on the small diameter portion 11a of the piston rod 11, a spring retainer fixed to the piston rod 11, and a spring interposed between the valve body and the spring retainer to bias the valve body toward the piston 12. The first check valve 20 opens with the entire valve body separated from the piston 12 in response to the flow of liquid passing through the second piston port 12b of the piston 12 from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, thereby allowing the liquid flow with almost no resistance. On the other hand, the first check valve 20 also blocks the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the second piston port 12b of the piston 12 from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2 by closing the second piston port 12b. In this embodiment, the first check valve 20 is composed of a valve body, a spring, and a spring seat, and is a check valve that opens when the entire valve body separates from the piston 12. However, any valve that opens only when the liquid passes from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1 through the second piston port 12b and allows the liquid to flow with almost no resistance is acceptable.

[0038] In this embodiment of the extension front fork FE, the extension damping valve 21 is a laminated leaf valve constructed by stacking multiple annular plates and is stacked below the piston 12. Its inner circumference is fitted to the outer circumference of the small diameter portion 11a of the piston rod 11 and fixed by a piston nut 17 that is screw-connected to the threaded portion 11b, allowing for deflection of the outer circumference. The extension damping valve 21 opens by deflecting its outer circumference to allow the flow of liquid passing through the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2, while simultaneously providing resistance to the liquid flow. On the other hand, the extension damping valve 21 closes the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 to block the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1. In this embodiment, the extension damping valve 21 is a laminated leaf valve in the extension front fork FE, but it may be a valve other than a laminated leaf valve, as long as it provides resistance while remaining open to the flow of liquid passing from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2.

[0039] In the compression damper DC, a compression damping valve 22 is stacked above the piston 12 in Figure 3, which allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1. In the compression damper DC, a sub-check valve 23 is stacked below the piston 12 in Figure 3, which provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2.

[0040] In this embodiment of the compression-side front fork FC, the compression-side damping valve 22 is a laminated leaf valve constructed by stacking multiple annular plates, and is stacked above the piston 12. Its inner circumference is fitted to the outer circumference of the small-diameter portion 11a of the piston rod 11 and fixed by a piston nut 17 that is screw-connected to the threaded portion 11b, allowing for deflection of the outer circumference. The compression-side damping valve 22 opens by deflecting its outer circumference to allow the flow of liquid passing through the second piston port 12b of the piston 12 from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, while simultaneously providing resistance to the liquid flow. On the other hand, the compression-side damping valve 22 closes the second piston port 12b of the piston 12 to block the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the second piston port 12b of the piston 12 from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2. In this embodiment, the compression damping valve 22 is a laminated leaf valve in the compression front fork FC, but it may be a valve other than a laminated leaf valve, as long as it provides resistance while remaining open to the flow of liquid passing from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2.

[0041] In the compression-side front fork FC of this embodiment, the sub-check valve 23 consists of an annular valve body stacked below the piston 12 in Figure 3 and mounted axially movable on the small-diameter portion 11a of the piston rod 11, a spring retainer fixed to the piston rod 11, and a spring interposed between the valve body and the spring retainer to bias the valve body toward the piston 12. The sub-check valve 23 opens with the entire valve body separated from the piston 12 to allow the flow of liquid passing through the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2, thereby allowing the liquid flow with almost no resistance. On the other hand, the sub-check valve 23 closes the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 to block the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the first piston port 12a of the piston 12 from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1. In this embodiment, the sub-check valve 23 in the compression-side front fork FC is a check valve composed of a valve body, a spring retainer, and a spring, which opens when the entire valve body separates from the piston 12. However, any valve that opens only when the liquid passes through the first piston port 12a from the extension-side chamber R1 to the compression-side chamber R2, allowing the liquid to flow with almost no resistance, would suffice.

[0042] Furthermore, in the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC, a disc 15 is fitted to the lower part of the cylinder 10 in Figures 2 and 3, which defines the lower cylinder chamber R3 located within the cylinder 10 and below the compression chamber R2, communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber R via a through-hole 10a.

[0043] The disc 15 is annular in shape and is held by a center rod 16 fixed to the adapter 13, and is fitted onto the inner circumference of the lower end of the cylinder 10. The disc 15 is provided with a discharge port 15a and a suction port 15b that connect the pressure chamber R2 and the lower cylinder chamber R3.

[0044] The center rod 16 comprises a disc-shaped base portion 16a that is fixed to the adapter 13 by being sandwiched between the cylinder 10, which is placed on the bottom of the adapter 13 and screw-connected to the adapter 13, and the bottom of the adapter 13, and a shaft portion 16b that rises from the center of the base portion 16a and is inserted into the cylinder 10. In addition, the center rod 16 has a small-diameter portion 16c on the upper side of the shaft portion 16b in Figures 2 and 3, which has a smaller outer diameter than the lower side, as well as a threaded portion 16d provided on the outer circumference of the tip of the small-diameter portion 16c, and a stepped portion 16e formed in the middle of the shaft portion 16b at the boundary between the small-diameter portion 16c and the lower side.

[0045] The center rod 16 is connected to the vehicle body tube 3 via the adapter 13 and the axle bracket 6 to which the adapter 13 is fixed, and positions the fixed and held disc 15 within the cylinder 10, above the through hole 10a in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, the lower cylinder chamber R3 is always in communication with the liquid reservoir chamber R via the through hole 10a.

[0046] Furthermore, on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 16b of the center rod 16 in the extension damper DE, an intake check valve 24 is mounted on the upper part of the disc 15 in Figure 2, and a second check valve 25 is mounted on the lower part of the disc 15 in Figure 2.

[0047] In the extension front fork FE of this embodiment, the suction check valve 24 consists of an annular valve body stacked above the piston 12 in Figure 2 and mounted axially movable on the small diameter portion 16c of the center rod 16, a spring retainer fixed to the center rod 16, and a spring interposed between the valve body and the spring retainer to bias the valve body toward the disc 15. The suction check valve 24 opens with the entire valve body separated from the disc 15 to allow the flow of liquid passing through the suction port 15b of the disc 15 from the cylinder lower chamber R3, which is connected to the liquid reservoir chamber R, toward the pressure side chamber R2, thereby allowing the liquid flow with almost no resistance. On the other hand, the suction check valve 24 also blocks the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the suction port 15b of the disc 15 from the pressure side chamber R2 toward the cylinder lower chamber R3 by closing the suction port 15b. In this embodiment, the suction check valve 24 in the extension front fork FE is composed of a valve body, a spring retainer, and a spring, and is a check valve that opens when the entire valve body separates from the disc 15. However, any valve that opens only when the liquid passes through the suction port 15b from the cylinder lower chamber R3 to the compression chamber R2 and allows the liquid to flow with almost no resistance is acceptable.

[0048] In this embodiment of the extension front fork FE, the second check valve 25 is a check valve constructed by stacking several annular plates and is stacked below the disc 15. Its inner circumference is fitted to the outer circumference of the small diameter portion 16c of the center rod 16 and fixed by a nut 18 screwed to the threaded portion 16d, allowing for some deflection of the outer circumference. The second check valve 25 opens by deflecting its outer circumference in response to the flow of liquid passing from the discharge port 15a of the disc 15 from the pressure chamber R2 to the cylinder lower chamber R3 which communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber R, allowing the liquid flow while providing some resistance to the liquid flow. The opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than that of the first check valve 20, so that when the extension damper DE is extended, the first check valve 20 opens before the second check valve 25, allowing the liquid to move smoothly from the pressure chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1. On the other hand, the second check valve 25 blocks the discharge port 15a in the disc 15 from the cylinder lower chamber R3 to the compression chamber R2, thereby preventing the flow of liquid. In this embodiment, the second check valve 25 is constructed by stacking multiple annular plates, but it may be a valve other than the check valve with the structure described above, as long as it opens to the flow of liquid passing from the compression chamber R2 to the cylinder lower chamber R3 while providing slightly more resistance than the first check valve 20. Therefore, the second check valve 25 may be composed of a valve body, a spring retainer, and a spring, just like the first check valve 20.

[0049] In the compression damper DC, a suction check valve 26 is mounted on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 16b of the center rod 16, which is stacked on the upper side of the disc 15 in Figure 3, and multiple washers 27 are mounted on the lower side of the disc 15 in Figure 3.

[0050] In the compression-side front fork FC of this embodiment, the suction check valve 26 consists of an annular valve body stacked on the upper part of the disc 15 in Figure 3 and mounted so as to be axially movable on the small-diameter portion 16c of the center rod 16, a spring receiver fixed to the center rod 16, and a spring interposed between the valve body and the spring receiver to bias the valve body toward the disc 15. The suction check valve 26 opens with the entire valve body separated from the disc 15 in response to the flow of liquid passing through the suction port 15b of the disc 15 from the lower cylinder chamber R3, which is connected to the liquid reservoir chamber R, toward the pressure-side chamber R2, thereby allowing the liquid flow with almost no resistance. On the other hand, the suction check valve 26 also blocks the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the suction port 15b of the disc 15 from the pressure-side chamber R2 toward the lower cylinder chamber R3 by closing the suction port 15b. In this embodiment, the suction check valve 26 in the compression-side front fork FC is composed of a valve body, a spring retainer, and a spring, and is a check valve that opens when the entire valve body separates from the disc 15. However, any valve that opens only when the liquid passes through the suction port 15b from the cylinder lower chamber R3 to the compression-side chamber R2 and allows the liquid to flow with almost no resistance is acceptable.

[0051] The washer 27 is a thick, annular shape, and multiple washers are stacked on the disc 15. It is fixed to the outer circumference of the small-diameter portion 16c of the center rod 16 by a nut 18, blocking the lower end of the discharge port 15a in Figure 3. The washer 27 does not bend and blocks the discharge port 15a even when subjected to the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the discharge port 15a from the pressure chamber R2 to the cylinder lower chamber R3 which communicates with the liquid reservoir chamber R. Similarly, the washer 27 continues to block the discharge port 15a even when subjected to the flow of liquid attempting to pass through the discharge port 15a from the cylinder lower chamber R3 to the pressure chamber R2. Therefore, the washer 27 blocks the discharge port 15a and does not allow any liquid flow. Thus, in the compression damper DC of the compression front fork FC, the discharge port 15a on the disc 15 is constantly blocked, and liquid cannot move from the pressure chamber R2 to the cylinder lower chamber R3. Thus, in the compression damper DC, there is no need to provide a discharge port 15a, so the disk 15 may have a structure that does not have a discharge port 15a and only has a suction port 15b. However, by adopting a structure that uses a washer 27 to block the discharge port 15a, it is possible to use a general disk used in dampers, which is advantageous because it eliminates the need to newly design and manufacture a disk that does not have a discharge port 15a. The number of stacked washers 27 can be arbitrarily designed and changed as long as the discharge port 15a is always blocked.

[0052] Although not shown in the diagram, both the extension damper DE and the compression damper DC are equipped with damping force adjustment valves. The damping force adjustment valve includes, for example, a bypass passage that opens from the lower end in Figure 2, which is the tip of the piston rod 11 facing the compression chamber R2, and leads to the side facing the extension chamber R1; a needle valve that can move within the bypass passage and adjust the flow area in the bypass passage; and an adjuster provided on the cap 5 that allows adjustment of the position of the needle valve within the bypass passage. The opening degree of the needle valve can be adjusted by operating the adjuster from the outside.

[0053] The extension front fork FE, compression front fork FC, and suspension system S are configured as described above, and their operation will be explained below. First, when the extension front fork FE and compression front fork FC in the suspension system S extend, the extension damper DE and compression damper DC also extend.

[0054] When the extension damper DE and compression damper DC are extended, the piston 12 moves upward within the cylinder 10 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, reducing the extension chamber R1 and expanding the compression chamber R2. In the extension front fork FE, as the extension damper DE extends, the liquid moves from the reduced extension chamber R1 to the expanded compression chamber R2 through the extension damping valve 21. The extension damping valve 21 resists this liquid flow, causing the pressure in the extension chamber R1 to rise. Also, as the extension damper DE extends, the piston rod 11 retracts from the cylinder 10. As a result, the liquid equivalent to the volume of the piston rod 11 retracting from the cylinder 10 moves almost effortlessly from the liquid reservoir chamber R to the compression chamber R2 through the through-hole 10a and the suction check valve 24. Therefore, when the extension damper DE extends, the extension damping valve 21 generates an extension damping force that hinders the extension of the extension front fork FE.

[0055] On the other hand, in the compression front fork FC, as the compression damper DC extends, the liquid moves from the extension chamber R1, which is reduced, through the sub-check valve 23 to the compression chamber R2, which is expanded. However, the sub-check valve 23 provides almost no resistance to the flow of the liquid passing through it. Also, as the compression damper DC extends, the piston rod 11 retracts from the cylinder 10. As a result, the liquid equivalent to the volume of the piston rod 11 retracting from the cylinder 10 moves almost effortlessly from the liquid reservoir chamber R to the compression chamber R2 through the through-hole 10a and the suction check valve 26. Therefore, when the compression damper DC extends, the pressure in the extension chamber R1 and the pressure in the compression chamber R2 become approximately equal. Consequently, the compression damper DC does not generate a damping force that hinders the extension of the compression front fork FC during its extension operation. Furthermore, when the compression damper DC extends, liquid equivalent to the volume of the piston rod 11 retracting from the cylinder 10 is supplied from the liquid reservoir chamber R. However, since the suction check valve 26 opens, allowing liquid to be supplied into the compression chamber R2, and the through-hole 10b, which acts as a passage, connects the extension chamber R1 and the liquid reservoir chamber R, allowing liquid to be discharged from the extension chamber R1 to the liquid reservoir chamber R via the through-hole 10b, the first piston port 12a and the sub-check valve 23 can be eliminated. However, by providing the sub-check valve 23, liquid can be moved from the extension chamber R1, which contracts during the extension operation of the compression damper DC, to the expansion of the compression chamber R2, thus preventing a shortage of liquid in the compression chamber R2 even when the compression damper DC contracts at high speed.

[0056] Therefore, when the extension front fork FE and compression front fork FC are extended, the suspension system S suppresses the extension operation of the extension front fork FE and compression front fork FC by the extension damping force generated by the extension damper DE in the extension front fork FE.

[0057] Next, when the extension front fork FE and compression front fork FC in the suspension system S contract, the extension damper DE and compression damper DC also contract.

[0058] When the extension damper DE and compression damper DC contract, the piston 12 moves downward within the cylinder 10 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, reducing the compression chamber R2 and expanding the extension chamber R1.

[0059] In the extension front fork FE, as the extension damper DE contracts, the liquid moves from the compression chamber R2, which is reduced, through the first check valve 20 to the extension chamber R1, which is expanded. When the extension damper DE is contracted, the piston rod 11 enters the cylinder 10, so the volume of liquid that the piston rod 11 enters the cylinder 10 passes through the second check valve 25 and the through hole 10a, moving from the compression chamber R2 to the liquid reservoir chamber R. Although the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve 20, the first check valve 20 provides almost no resistance to the flow of liquid passing through it, and the resistance that the second check valve 25 provides to the flow of liquid passing through it is sufficiently small compared to the flow of liquid passing through the damping valve. Therefore, the pressure in the extension chamber R1 and the pressure in the compression chamber R2 become approximately equal, and the pressures in both the extension chamber R1 and the compression chamber R2 become slightly higher than those in the liquid reservoir chamber R. Therefore, the extension damper DE generates only a small damping force that hinders the extension front fork FE's extension operation during compression. Also, since the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve 20, the first check valve 20 opens before the second check valve 25. As a result, the extension damper DE prevents excessive liquid from being discharged from the compression chamber R2 to the liquid reservoir chamber R through the second check valve 25, allowing the liquid to move smoothly from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, and making it less likely for liquid to become depleted in the extension chamber R1. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5, the pressure in the extension chamber R1 of the extension damper DE never falls below atmospheric pressure even during compression, and the situation where the inside of the extension chamber R1 is excessively depressurized and gas dissolved in the liquid appears as bubbles inside the extension chamber R1 does not occur. Figure 5 shows the pressure fluctuations in the extension chamber R1 from the fully extended state of the extension damper DE to its fully contracted state, and then from the fully contracted state to its fully extended state until the piston speed becomes 0. Thus, in this embodiment, the pressure in the extension chamber R1 of the extension damper DE does not fall below atmospheric pressure even when the extension damper DE expands or contracts.

[0060] Therefore, in the extension damper DE of this embodiment, there is no tendency for the liquid in the extension chamber to become insufficient during contraction, and it is possible to suppress a situation in which the pressure in the extension chamber R1 drops excessively. As a result, even if the direction of expansion and contraction of the extension damper DE changes and it switches from contraction to extension, the pressure in the extension chamber R1 is quickly increased, and the response of the extension damping force is improved.

[0061] On the other hand, in the compression front fork FC, as the compression damper DC contracts, the liquid moves from the compression chamber R2, which is reduced in size, through the compression damping valve 22 to the extension chamber R1, which is expanded, and the compression damping valve 22 resists this liquid flow. Furthermore, because the discharge port 15a of the reduced compression chamber R2 is blocked by the washer 27, the liquid in the reduced compression chamber R2 moves only through the compression damping valve 22 to the extension chamber R1. Thus, when the compression damper DC contracts, the entire volume of liquid equivalent to the volume reduced in the compression chamber R2 by the piston 12 within the cylinder 10 moves through the compression damping valve 22 to the extension chamber R1.

[0062] Furthermore, when the compression damper DC is contracted, the piston rod 11 enters the cylinder 10, and the volume of liquid equivalent to the volume of the piston rod 11 entering the cylinder 10 moves from the extension chamber R1 to the liquid reservoir chamber R through the through hole 10b.

[0063] Therefore, when the compression damper DC is contracting, the pressure in the compression chamber R2 is increased, while the pressure in the extension chamber R1 becomes approximately equal to the pressure in the liquid reservoir chamber R. The compression damper DC generates a damping force equal to the value obtained by multiplying the cross-sectional area of ​​the piston 12 by the pressure in the compression chamber R2, in a direction that opposes the contraction operation of the compression damper DC. In this way, the compression damper DC increases the pressure only in the compression chamber R2 during contraction, making the pressure in the extension chamber R1 equal to the pressure in the liquid reservoir chamber R. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the piston 12 can receive the pressure in the compression chamber R2 as the pressure-receiving area, the responsiveness of the generation of compression damping force can be improved.

[0064] Based on the above, the extension damper DE in the extension front fork FE is configured as a one-sided damper that primarily generates an extension damping force that hinders the extension operation during extension, thereby improving the responsiveness of damping force generation during extension operation.

[0065] Furthermore, the compression damper DC in the compression front fork FC is configured as a one-sided damper that primarily generates a compression damping force that hinders the compression operation, thereby improving the responsiveness of damping force generation during compression operation.

[0066] As mentioned above, both the rebound damper DE and the compression damper DC are equipped with damping force adjustment valves (not shown). Therefore, the rebound damping force of the rebound damper DE can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the needle valve by operating the adjuster on the rebound damper DE, and the compression damping force of the compression damper DC can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the needle valve by operating the adjuster on the compression damper DC.

[0067] As described above, the extension front fork FE of this embodiment comprises a fork body F having a vehicle body side tube 3 and an axle side tube 4, which extend and retract as the vehicle body side tube 3 and the axle side tube 4 move relative to each other in the axial direction, and an extension damper DE housed within the fork body F and generating damping force during extension operation. The extension damper DE comprises a cylinder 10 connected to either the vehicle body side tube 3 or the axle side tube 4, a piston rod 11 connected to the other of the vehicle body side tube 3 or the axle side tube 4 and movable in the axial direction within the cylinder 10, and a rod connected to the piston rod 11 and located within the cylinder 10 The system includes a piston 12 that is inserted so as to be movable toward the direction and divides the inside of the cylinder 10 into an extension chamber R1 and a compression chamber R2, an extension damping valve 21 that resists the flow of liquid from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2, a first check valve 20 that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, a second check valve 25 that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to a liquid reservoir chamber R located inside the fork body F but outside the extension damper DE, and a suction check valve 24 that allows only the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir chamber R to the compression chamber R2, wherein the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve 20.

[0068] In the extension front fork FE configured in this way, both the first check valve 20 and the second check valve 25 are check valves that do not provide much resistance to the flow of liquid through which they pass. Since the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve 20, the first check valve 20 opens before the second check valve 25. Therefore, in the extension damper DE, when the extension damper DE is contracting, it is prevented that an excessive amount of liquid is discharged from the compression chamber R2 to the liquid reservoir chamber R through the second check valve 25, allowing the liquid to move smoothly from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, and making it less likely for a shortage of liquid to occur in the extension chamber R1. Based on the above, the extension front fork FE prevents a tendency for insufficient fluid in the extension chamber R1 during the compression operation of the extension damper DE, thus suppressing a situation where the pressure in the extension chamber R1 drops excessively. Therefore, even when the direction of extension and compression of the extension damper DE changes and it switches from compression to extension, the extension chamber R1 is quickly pressurized, improving the responsiveness of the extension damping force generation.

[0069] As described above, the extension front fork FE of this embodiment improves the response of extension damping force generation in the extension front fork FE, thereby improving the ground contact feel of the front wheel W when the saddle-type vehicle V is in motion.

[0070] Furthermore, if the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is increased, the resistance exerted on the liquid flow through the second check valve 25 during the contraction operation of the extension damper DE increases, causing the extension damper DE to exert a damping force that hinders unintended contraction operation. In the suspension system S, if the extension front fork FE generates only an extension damping force that hinders extension operation, and the compression front fork FC generates only a compression damping force that hinders contraction operation, then tuning of the extension damping force can be done using only the extension damper DE, and tuning of the compression damping force can be done using only the compression damper DC, which has the advantage of making it easy to adjust the extension damping force and compression damping force generated by the suspension system S as a whole. On the other hand, if the extension damper DE generates a high compression damping force that unintentionally hinders contraction operation, tuning becomes complicated. Therefore, it is preferable that the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 be set to a value such that the extension chamber R1 does not fall below atmospheric pressure during the contraction operation of the extension damper DE. In this way, when the opening pressure of the second check valve 25 is set to a value such that the extension chamber R1 does not fall below atmospheric pressure when the extension damper DE is extended, the damping force generated when the extension damper DE is contracted is reduced, and the response of the extension damping force can be improved without adversely affecting the characteristics of the compression damping force generated by the compression front fork FC in the suspension system S.

[0071] In this embodiment, the compression damping force generated by the second check valve 25 when the extension damper DE in the extension front fork FE of the suspension device S is compressed is set lower than the compression damping force generated when the compression front fork FC, which generates damping force during compression operation, is compressed. With the suspension device S configured in this way, it is possible to improve the responsiveness of the extension damping force generation while enjoying the advantage of easy adjustment of the extension damping force and compression damping force generated by the suspension device S as a whole. Furthermore, if the damping force generated when the extension damper DE is compressed is set to be sufficiently smaller than the damping force generated when the compression front fork FC is compressed, the responsiveness of the extension damping force generation can be further improved while enjoying the above advantages.

[0072] Furthermore, the compression front fork FC of this embodiment comprises a fork body F having a vehicle body side tube 3 and an axle side tube 4, which expands and contracts as the vehicle body side tube 3 and the axle side tube 4 move relative to each other in the axial direction, and a compression damper DC housed within the fork body F and generating damping force when it is contracted, the compression damper DC comprises a cylinder 10 connected to either the vehicle body side tube 3 or the axle side tube 4, and a cylinder 10 connected to either the vehicle body side tube 3 or the axle side tube 4 The cylinder 10 also includes a piston rod 11 that is movable in the axial direction, a piston 12 connected to the piston rod 11 and inserted into the cylinder 10 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and which divides the inside of the cylinder 10 into an extension chamber R1 and a compression chamber R2, a compression damping valve 22 that provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the compression chamber R2 to the extension chamber R1, a suction check valve 26 that allows only the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir chamber R to the compression chamber R2, and a through hole (passage) 10b that connects the extension chamber R1 and the liquid reservoir chamber R.

[0073] With the compression-side front fork FC configured in this way, when the compression damper DC is contracted, the entire volume of liquid equal to the volume of the reduced compression chamber R2 passes through the compression damping valve 22 and moves to the extension chamber R1, and the extension chamber R1 is connected to the liquid reservoir chamber R via the through hole (passage) 10b, so that the pressure in the extension chamber R1 is kept at a low pressure. Therefore, with the compression-side front fork FC, when the compression damper DC is contracted, only the compression chamber R2 is efficiently pressurized, and the entire surface of the piston 12 facing the compression chamber R2 can receive the pressure of the compression chamber R2. With the compression-side front fork FC in this way, when the compression damper DC is contracted, the pressure of the compression chamber R2 is received over a wide pressure-receiving area, improving the responsiveness of the generation of compression damping force, and thus improving the ground contact of the front wheel W when the saddle-type vehicle V is running.

[0074] Furthermore, the compression damper DC in the compression front fork FC of this embodiment is equipped with a sub-check valve 23 that allows only the flow of liquid from the extension chamber R1 to the compression chamber R2. With the compression front fork FC configured in this way, the sub-check valve 23 opens when the compression damper DC extends, connecting the compression chamber R2 and the extension chamber R1, thus preventing a shortage of liquid in the expanding compression chamber R2 when the compression damper DC extends. As a result, the compression front fork FC does not tend to have a shortage of liquid in the compression chamber R2 when the compression damper DC extends, and it is possible to suppress a situation in which the pressure in the compression chamber R2 drops excessively. Therefore, even if the direction of expansion and contraction of the compression damper DC changes and it switches from an expansion operation to a contraction operation, the pressure in the compression chamber R2 is quickly increased, and the response of the compression damping force can be improved.

[0075] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, modifications, alterations, and changes are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 3...Body-side tube, 4...Axle-side tube, 10...Cylinder, 11...Piston rod, 12...Piston, 20...First check valve, 21...Rebound damping valve, 24...Intake check valve, 25...Second check valve, DE...Rebound damper, F...Fork body, FC...Compression front fork, FE...Rebound front fork, S...Suspension system, R...Liquid reservoir chamber, R1...Rebound chamber, R2...Compression chamber

Claims

1. A fork body having a body-side tube and an axle-side tube, the body-side tube and the axle-side tube extend and retract as they move relative to each other in the axial direction, The fork body is housed within the extension damper, which generates damping force during extension operation. The extension damper is, A cylinder connected to either the vehicle body side tube or the wheel side tube, A piston rod is connected to either the vehicle body side tube or the wheel side tube and is movable in the axial direction within the cylinder, A piston connected to the piston rod and inserted into the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction, and which divides the inside of the cylinder into an extension chamber and a compression chamber, An extension damping valve that provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the extension chamber to the compression chamber, A first check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the extension chamber, A second check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression chamber toward a liquid reservoir chamber located inside the fork body but outside the extension damper, It has a suction check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the liquid reservoir chamber to the pressure side chamber, The opening pressure of the second check valve is higher than the opening pressure of the first check valve. A front fork with extension features.

2. The opening pressure of the second check valve is set to a value such that the extension chamber does not fall below atmospheric pressure when the extension damper is contracting. The extension front fork according to feature 1.

3. A compression front fork having a body-side tube and an axle-side tube, which generates damping force when the body-side tube and the axle-side tube move relative to each other in the axial direction and contract, A front extension fork according to claim 1 or 2, The damping force generated when the extension damper compresses is set lower than the damping force generated when the compression front fork compresses. A suspension system characterized by the following features.

Images