Adjustable Telescopic Fork with Electric Motor for Ride Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle suspension systems fail to maintain consistent riding characteristics and stability as the fuel tank level decreases during riding, affecting the motorcycle's handling and stability due to changes in caster angle and trail.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable telescopic fork with a pair of parallel fork tube assemblies, featuring an inner and outer tube configuration with a coil spring and an externally operable electric motor and transmission unit, allowing for real-time adjustment of ride height to compensate for fuel tank depletion, while also enabling switching between on-road and off-road settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the fuel tank level decreases during riding, then the weight of the motorcycle decreases, but the sag and ride height change, affecting handling and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic suspension system where the coil spring pre-load can be adjusted in real-time based on fuel tank level. The system transitions from a static suspension configuration to a dynamic one that automatically adapts to changing weight conditions, maintaining consistent sag and ride height throughout the fuel consumption cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a fuel level sensor that continuously monitors the fuel tank level and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the coil spring pre-load via the electric motor, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal suspension characteristics despite changing fuel weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the caster angle and trail are allowed to change with fuel level, then the motorcycle adapts to weight changes, but the riding characteristics and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamically adjustable suspension system that maintains constant geometric parameters (caster angle and trail) by compensating for weight changes through real-time adjustment of coil spring pre-load, rather than allowing these parameters to vary with fuel level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of coil spring pre-load to compensate for changes in motorcycle weight. By adjusting the pre-load force applied by the coil spring, the system maintains the desired suspension sag and ride height, thereby keeping caster angle and trail constant despite fuel level variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an adjustable fork system is implemented, then riding characteristics can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electric motor-driven system. Instead of using manual cable-operated adjusters or complex mechanical linkages, the system uses an electric motor controlled by a microprocessor to adjust the coil spring pre-load, simplifying the mechanical structure while enabling automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system becomes self-adjusting through automated control. The fuel level sensor and control unit work together to automatically adjust the coil spring pre-load without requiring manual intervention from the rider, making the system self-regulating in response to changing fuel weight.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic or pneumatic systems are used for suspension adjustment, then ride height can be changed, but friction, wear, and thermal effects are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful elements (hydraulic fluid or pneumatic gas) from the suspension adjustment system. By eliminating these fluid-based systems, the invention avoids the associated friction, wear, and thermal effects while maintaining the core function of ride height adjustment through a cleaner mechanical-electrical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes hydraulic or pneumatic adjustment mechanisms with an electric motor-driven mechanical adjustment system. This replacement eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid circulation or pneumatic pressure changes, thereby removing the sources of friction, wear, and thermal effects inherent in fluid-based systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution maintains consistent riding characteristics and stability by adjusting sag and travel characteristics in real-time, enhancing handling and comfort across varying fuel levels without additional friction, wear, or thermal effects, and allows seamless transitions between on-road and off-road settings.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring arranged inside the fork tube assembly between a support element of the inner tube and a support element of the outer tube
Implementation Method 2
an externally operable electric motor having a drive shaft
Implementation Method 3
a transmission unit for converting a rotational motion of the drive shaft into a translational movement of the moveably mounted support element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention is related to an adjustable telescopic fork suitable for changing the ride height of a motorcycle while riding. It is further related to an externally adjustable fork tube assembly (10) for use in a telescopic fork and to a motorcycle comprising the same. According to the invention, the telescopic fork is adjustable by means of an electric motor (103) which alters the pre-tension of the coil spring (102) of the telescopic fork. This allows the fork to be adjusted to compensate for a change in sag during riding as a result of a depleting fuel tank, and/or to switch between different riding characteristics depending on the preference of the motorcyclist or the condition of the road surface.