Adjustable Vehicle Suspension Stanchion for Terrain-Specific Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems lack the ability to be selectively adjusted for varying terrain and rider preferences, as they are not capable of being 'tuned' to provide more or less reinforcement in specific directions, leading to inconsistent performance across different riding conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable suspension system featuring a stanchion with non-uniform stiffness axes and a movable reinforcement structure that can be aligned to provide varying levels of stiffness along the front-to-rear and up-to-down axes, allowing users to customize the fork chassis stiffness based on their needs and terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fork chassis is made stiffer to improve precision, then steering precision is improved, but compliance and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fork chassis stiffness adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows riders to dynamically change stiffness characteristics between supercross mode (stiffer for precision) and outdoor motocross mode (more compliant for comfort) based on riding conditions, resolving the contradiction between precision and compliance
2Strength
If the fork chassis is made more rigid to handle aggressive riding, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different riding styles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stiffness mechanism enables the fork chassis to adapt to different riding styles by allowing users to switch between rigid settings for aggressive riders and more compliant settings for lighter riders, maintaining structural strength while improving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stiffness parameter of the fork chassis through an adjustable mechanism, allowing the same structural component to provide different levels of rigidity depending on rider preference and riding conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability
3Device complexity
If a single fork design is used for all terrain types, then device complexity is reduced, but performance consistency across different terrains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable stiffness mechanism that allows a single fork design to provide consistent performance across different terrains by enabling riders to optimize fork characteristics for supercross, outdoor motocross, or intermediate conditions, maintaining reliability without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for an adjustable suspension system for a vehicle comprises at least one strut. In one embodiment, the stanchion (or slider) is non-uniform with a major and minor circumferential stiffness and is adjustable relative to a fore and aft axis of the vehicle in order to provide a differing amount of stiffness relative thereto. In another embodiment, a portion of the stanchion is circular and a reinforcement is annularly disposed therearound with axial retention formations, The reinforcement has a non-uniform circumferential characteristic and is rotatable relative to the fore/aft axis of the vehicle