Bicycle Suspension Stroke and Damper Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycles lack adjustable suspension systems that can effectively manage terrain-induced vibrations, leading to discomfort for riders, as existing systems are either rigid or require complex adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle suspension system incorporating a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, and a control mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of stroke and damping force, enabling riders to seamlessly transition between different suspension settings, including a locked-out mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional bicycles use rigid frames and forks without suspension, then the structure is simple and strong, but terrain-induced vibrations are transmitted directly to the rider causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into separate functional components: a spring assembly for vibration absorption and a damper assembly for controlling motion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to reduce terrain-induced vibrations transmitted to the rider.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wheel and the rider. It absorbs and dampens vibrations through its spring and damper components, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the rider while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bicycles are equipped with adjustable suspension assemblies, then riders can adapt to different terrains, but the structure becomes more complex and adjustment mechanisms add difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The stroke adjustment mechanism and damper adjustment mechanism are merged into a single integrated control system. The control mechanism simultaneously adjusts both the stroke length and damping force when the rider activates the adjustment function, simplifying the operation despite the complexity of the underlying mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If suspension assemblies allow independent adjustment of stroke and damping, then versatility is improved, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is designed to dynamically adjust both stroke and damping parameters based on real-time terrain conditions. The system can independently modify each parameter as needed, providing versatility in adapting to different terrains while using a coordinated control approach to manage the complexity of the 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
The system provides enhanced comfort and control by allowing riders to adjust suspension settings in real-time, effectively absorbing vibrations and improving ride quality across various terrains without the need for complex adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle suspension includes a stroke adjustment unit, a suspension damper, a damper adjustment unit, and a control mechanism. The stroke adjustment unit is configured to adjust a stroke of the bicycle suspension, which is configured to expand and contract within the stroke. The suspension damper is configured to apply damping force to the bicycle suspension. The damper adjustment unit is configured to adjust the damping force applied by the suspension damper. The control mechanism operatively couples the stroke adjustment unit to the damper adjustment unit and is configured to sequentially adjust the stroke and the damping force.