Bicycle Shock Absorber Control Assembly for Rebound and Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle shock absorbers lack convenient control mechanisms for simultaneously adjusting rebound damping and compression lockout characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A control assembly for in-line bicycle shock absorbers featuring a rotatable control member and a piston within a housing, allowing for precise adjustment of rebound damping and compression lockout through a combination of mechanical and hydraulic components, including a knob, rebound sleeve, lockout piston, and hydraulic actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single control mechanism is used for shock absorber adjustment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adjust multiple characteristics (rebound damping and compression lockout) simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two control functions (rebound damping adjustment and compression lockout adjustment) into a single integrated control assembly. The control member with internal bore and piston structure allows both adjustment characteristics to be controlled from one location, merging multiple functions into a unified mechanism that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a rotation control for rebound damping and a housing for a displacement control for compression lockout. This multi-functional design allows a single component to provide multiple adjustment capabilities, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If separate control mechanisms are provided for rebound damping and compression lockout, then the ease of operation for each characteristic is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is segmented into distinct functional zones: an external rotation interface for rebound damping control and an internal piston displacement mechanism for compression lockout control. This segmentation allows independent control of each characteristic while maintaining a unified external appearance, making each function easily operable without requiring separate external controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is nested within the interior bore of the control member, with the piston control mechanism contained inside the control member housing. This nested arrangement allows both control functions to be accessed from the same external interface, improving ease of operation by consolidating controls while the internal nesting manages the complexity of having two independent adjustment mechanisms.
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 convenient and precise adjustment of shock absorber characteristics, enhancing ride control and comfort by allowing riders to tailor rebound damping and compression lockout settings according to their preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a piston slidably mounted within the interior bore of the control member, the piston displaced within the interior bore to adjust a second characteristic of the shock absorber
Implementation Method 2
Shock absorbers are known for use with bicycles
Data Source
AI summary
A control assembly for an in-line bicycle shock absorber can include a control member rotatably mounted to a housing of the shock absorber, the control member having an interior bore, and with one end of the bore being closed and another end of the bore being open. The control assembly also includes a piston slidably mounted within the interior bore of the control member. The control member is rotated to adjust a first characteristic of the shock absorber and the piston is displaced within the interior bore to adjust a second characteristic of the shock absorber.