Steering Damper Apparatus Using Dual Pump Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering damper apparatus for saddle-ride type vehicles becomes larger and less compact due to the placement of a single pump unit on one side, which increases the piston rod length and complicates the damper function.
Innovation Solution
A pair of pump units are disposed on either side of an imaginary plane passing through the steering's center of rotation, connected by a flexible pipe line, with a hydraulic adjustment mechanism and an absorber to manage oil volume and temperature changes, allowing for compactness and simplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single pump unit is disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction, then the damper function can be enhanced, but the length of the piston rod increases and the size of the steering damper apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump unit is divided into a pair of pump units (left and right) that are disposed symmetrically on both sides of the vehicle. Each pump unit has its own piston rod connected to the steering element, distributing the damper function across multiple shorter actuators rather than requiring one long piston rod
2Force
If a single pump unit is disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction, then the damper function can be enhanced, but the size of the steering damper apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering damper apparatus is segmented into two separate pump units positioned on left and right sides of the vehicle, allowing each unit to be more compact while collectively providing the required damper function
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible hose connects the oil chambers of the left and right pump units, allowing the hydraulic system to accommodate the distributed configuration while maintaining fluid communication between both pump units
3Volume of moving object
If a pair of pump units are disposed on left and right sides connected by flexible pipe line, then the size of steering damper apparatus is reduced, but the complexity of hydraulic connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible hose is used to connect the oil chambers of the left and right pump units, providing a simple yet effective hydraulic connection that accommodates the distributed configuration without requiring complex rigid piping or multiple connection points
4Device complexity
If the total volume of oil chambers of the pair of pump units is made identical at identical temperature, then the need for additional absorbers is eliminated, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design specifies that the total volume of oil chambers in the left and right pump units be made identical at a reference temperature, using thermal expansion coefficients and volume calculations to achieve balance without requiring additional compensating components
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
This configuration reduces the size of the steering damper apparatus, eliminates the need for additional absorbers, and allows for adjustable damping forces while minimizing oil delivery changes with steering angle, enhancing the overall compactness and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible pipe line connects between the pump units
Implementation Method 2
an absorber attached to the pump case of at least either one of the pump units or the hydraulic adjustment mechanism, the absorber absorbing expansion and contraction of oil as caused by changes in temperature
Implementation Method 3
a piston that is slidably fitted in the cylinder hole to thereby form an oil chamber between the piston and the pump case
Implementation Method 4
a first orifice that constricts flow of oil from one to the other of the pair of pump units; a second orifice that constricts flow of oil from the other to the one of the pair of pump units
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
[SUBJECT] To enable simplification and compactness in a steering damper apparatus (20A) for a saddle-ride type vehicle, including a pump unit (21) disposed between a vehicle body frame and a steering element (11) that configures part of a steering, the pump unit (21) including: a pump case (24) that has a cylinder hole (23) having opposite ends thereof closed; a piston (26) that is slidably fitted in the cylinder hole (23) to thereby form an oil chamber (25) between the piston (26) and the pump case (24); and a piston rod (27) that is coaxially continuous to the piston (26) and passes through one end portion of the pump case (24). [MEANS FOR SOLUTION] A pair of pump units (21) are disposed on left and right sides of an imaginary plane VP that passes through a center of rotation C of a steering (13) so as to extend in a vehicle fore-aft direction. A flexible pipe line (32) connects between the pump units (21).