Bicycle Front Fork Suspension with Adjustable Air Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle front fork suspension devices have fixed shock absorption and buffering pressure, which cannot be adjusted by users, limiting their ability to meet varying shock absorption requirements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an air chamber in the cylinder of the suspension device, connected to an intake valve, allowing users to adjust the air pressure and thereby the buffering pressure of the spring device, enabling customizable shock pressure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the spring device is used for shock absorption in the conventional suspension device, then the buffering pressure is determined by the coefficient of elasticity, but the shock pressure cannot be adjusted by users after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air chamber with the existing cylinder structure of the suspension device. The air chamber is integrated into the cylinder below the piston, merging the pneumatic adjustment mechanism with the mechanical suspension system. This allows shock pressure adjustment without adding a completely separate system, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an air chamber connected to the cylinder through a communication hole, using pneumatic pressure to adjust the shock absorption characteristics. By controlling the air pressure in the air chamber, users can modify the buffering force applied to the spring device, enabling adjustable shock pressure without changing the spring itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If the spring device coefficient of elasticity is fixed during manufacturing, then the buffering device is simple to manufacture, but the shock absorption requirements of various users cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-adjust the shock pressure by controlling the air pressure in the air chamber. The intake valve allows users to add or release air independently, making the adjustment system self-serviceable without requiring manufacturer intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing user adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of air pressure in the air chamber to adjust the shock absorption characteristics. By varying the air pressure parameter, the buffering force on the spring device is modified, allowing the same spring to provide different shock absorption levels based on user needs without changing the spring's coefficient of elasticity.
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
Enables users to adjust the shock pressure of the bicycle front fork according to individual needs by modifying the air pressure in the air chamber, enhancing the adaptability of the suspension device to different riding conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The air pressure of the air chamber may be adjusted to adjust the buffering pressure of the spring device
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension device of a bicycle front fork is installed in a head tube of a bicycle handlebar. The suspension device includes: a cylinder with a bottom fixed to a base of the bicycle front fork and a top passed into the head tube; a piston rod with a top fixed to an inner wall of the head tube and a bottom having a piston and extended into the cylinder; a spring device coupled to the piston rod and having a force to push the piston rod away from the cylinder. The cylinder below the piston has an air chamber communicated with an intake valve of the base. The air pressure of air chamber may be adjusted to adjust the buffering pressure of the spring device, so that a user may adjust the shocking pressure of the front fork.