Bicycle Suspension Preload Control Using Piston-Guided Fluid Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle suspensions face challenges in adjusting preload accurately and efficiently, with mechanical and air suspensions requiring manual trial-and-error adjustments that are cumbersome and imprecise, often necessitating excessive fluid handling and weight-dependent changes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable suspension system with a piston mechanism that automatically adjusts preload based on user weight by translating between positions to control fluid communication, allowing precise and quick preload setting through fluid injection and evacuation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual trial-and-error pressure adjustment is used, then preload can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes long and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the piston's position (determined by user weight) automatically controls the valve device state. When the piston moves to a certain position under user weight, it triggers the valve to switch states, enabling automatic preload adjustment based on real-time feedback from the suspension compression state.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system performs self-adjustment of preload based on user weight. The piston automatically moves according to the compression force from user weight, and this movement automatically controls the valve device to regulate fluid pressure, eliminating the need for manual trial-and-error adjustment.
2Stress or pressure
If excessive fluid is injected into the suspension, then preload can be increased, but manual fluid extraction becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device receives feedback from the piston position and automatically switches between injection and extraction modes. When the piston reaches a predetermined position indicating sufficient preload, the valve automatically switches from injection mode to extraction mode, preventing over-injection and eliminating manual fluid management.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device operates in periodic cycles of fluid injection and extraction based on piston position feedback. The system automatically alternates between injecting fluid to increase pressure and extracting fluid to reduce pressure, creating a self-regulating periodic action that maintains optimal preload.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical springs are used for suspension, then preload adjustment is possible, but the spring weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical springs with a pneumatic/hydraulic system using fluid pressure to provide suspension force. Fluid is injected into a chamber to create pressure that supports the user weight, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical springs while maintaining preload adjustability through fluid pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts preload by changing fluid pressure parameters rather than changing mechanical spring properties. By controlling the pressure of the injected fluid, the system can easily adjust preload for different user weights without replacing physical components, significantly reducing overall system weight.
4Productivity
If user estimates preload satisfaction manually, then adjustment can be completed, but precision and accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the piston's actual position under user weight to automatically determine when optimal preload is achieved. The piston position serves as an objective measurement indicator, replacing subjective user estimation with precise mechanical feedback that triggers automatic valve switching.
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 rapid, precise, and weight-dependent preload adjustment, eliminating the need for manual trial-and-error, reducing fluid consumption, and ensuring consistent preload settings without excessive pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
the piston being configured to move from the first position to the second position when fluid is injected through the main fluid inlet
Implementation Method 2
a valve device capable of assuming a first state in which it prevents fluid from escaping from the suspension, and a second state in which it allows extraction of the fluid from the suspension
Data Source
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AI summary
Adjustable suspension (10) for a bicycle, comprising a suspension body (12) provided with a main fluid inlet (31) and a fluid outlet (32), a piston (14) that is disposed in the suspension body and comprises a piston head (26) delimiting a first chamber (28) and a second chamber (30), the first chamber being fluidically connected to the main fluid inlet, the piston being able to move in translation in the suspension body between at least one first position, in which the fluid outlet is fluidically connected to the second chamber but not to the first chamber, so as to deploy the piston, and at least one second position, in which the fluid outlet is fluidically connected to the first chamber.