Telescopic Fork Pre-tensioning Arrangement with Sealed Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arrangements for pre-tensioning fork tubes of telescoping forks in off-road motorcycles are complex, require multiple components, and are prone to contamination and unintentional actuation, compromising safety and simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A compact arrangement with a base body supporting and guiding locking elements, utilizing a combined actuation element within a sealed housing to actuate multiple locking pins, ensuring secure operation with fewer components and preventing foreign particle entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locking pins and actuation knobs are provided to implement various pre-tension positions, then the number of pre-tension positions increases, but the device complexity significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking pins are merged into a single base body structure, and a single actuation element combines the functions of multiple actuation knobs. The actuation element rotates about an axis to simultaneously control multiple locking pins that extend in different directions, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining multiple pre-tension positions
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuation element serves multiple functions by rotating about its axis to actuate different locking pins at different angles. This universal component replaces multiple specialized actuation knobs, allowing one component to perform the work of several while maintaining the ability to achieve various pre-tension positions
2Ease of operation
If locking pins and actuation knobs are freely accessible, then the ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination and unintentional actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is segmented with multiple openings at different angles, each providing controlled access to a specific locking pin. This segmentation allows the actuation element to be accessed from different directions while keeping each locking pin's access path separate and controlled, preventing contamination while maintaining operability
Solution Approach 2:
The base body acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the external environment and the locking pins. It provides controlled access paths through its openings, allowing actuation while blocking direct exposure to contaminants. The base body structure itself serves as the protective barrier while enabling necessary access
3Device complexity
If a compact arrangement with fewer components is used, then the device complexity reduces, but the ability to provide multiple pre-tension positions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is designed to rotate dynamically about an axis, allowing a single static component to achieve multiple positions and control multiple locking pins. This dynamic capability enables one component to perform the function of multiple static components, maintaining versatility while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element operates in a rotational dimension about an axis, allowing it to access and control locking pins that extend in different angular directions. By adding the rotational dimension to a single component, the system achieves multiple pre-tension positions without needing multiple separate actuation mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for the temporary pre-tensioning of fork tubes (1, 2) of a telescoping fork, displaceable with respect to each other, comprises a base body (3) attached to a first fork tube (1) to secure and guide at least a first locking element (4) and a second locking element (5), whereby the locking elements (4, 5) interact with a receptacle element (6) attached to the second fork tube (2). A common actuation element (7) is provided within the housing of the base body (3) to actuate the locking elements (4,5).