Front Fork Acceleration Sensor for Road Surface Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles face challenges in accurately determining road surface conditions with a simple structure, often resulting in less precise assessments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a suspension system that includes a sensor attached to the bottom case of the front fork, capable of detecting acceleration in a one-axis direction, which decides road surface states based on detection values in the extension direction of the suspension, allowing for differentiation between hard and soft road surfaces using specific threshold values and time periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is mounted on the vehicle body to detect road surface state, then the detection structure is simple, but the detection accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the suspension lower portion (bottom case) as an intermediary component between the wheel and vehicle body. The sensor is mounted on this intermediary structure, which transmits both road surface vibration information and provides a stable mounting platform. This resolves the contradiction by using the suspension system as a mediator that enables accurate detection without requiring direct body mounting or complex additional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system serves dual purposes: it provides vehicle support function and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the sensor. The bottom case of the suspension, which already exists for structural support, is utilized as the sensor mounting location. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, achieving simple implementation while maintaining detection accuracy through the suspension's inherent vibration transmission properties.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single acceleration sensor mounted on the suspension lower portion is designed to perform multiple detection functions. It detects vertical acceleration caused by road surface irregularities, and through signal processing, this single sensor's output is used to determine various road surface conditions (smooth, rough, inclined). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different parameters from the single sensor's output signal to extract multiple types of road surface information. By analyzing acceleration magnitude, frequency characteristics, and temporal patterns from the same sensor, the system can distinguish between different road surface types and conditions. This parameter-based differentiation allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple sensors.
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 enables accurate detection of road surface conditions with a simple structure, effectively distinguishing between hard and soft surfaces by utilizing the variation in acceleration and damping forces, improving the vehicle's ability to adapt to varying road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (50) provided at a lower portion of the suspension (18) and capable of detecting an acceleration at least in a one-axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a suspension that supports a front wheel thereon, and a road surface state decision unit that decides a road surface state by detection of an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is provided at a lower portion of the suspension and is capable of detecting an acceleration at least in a one-axis direction. The suspension is a front fork that supports the front wheel of the saddle riding vehicle. The front fork includes a bottom case that connects a lower portion of the front fork and an axle of the front wheel to each other. The acceleration sensor is attached to the bottom case.