Suspension Fork Throttle Valve Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension forks for bicycles face challenges with complex structures, heat dissipation issues, and difficulty in adjusting damping properties, leading to uneven thermal expansion and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A suspension fork design with throttle devices for rebound and compression damping positioned above the movable piston, allowing for effective cooling and simplified adjustment of damping characteristics, utilizing a damping system integrated into the standpipe connected to the bicycle frame, with adjustable throttle valves and a flexible partition to prevent foaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If throttle devices for rebound and compression damping are arranged in the lower region of the dip tube, then the damping adjustment mechanism can be integrated into the piston rod, but heat accumulates in the lower area leading to uneven thermal expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidheat distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the throttle devices above the movable piston instead of in the lower region of the dip tube. This inversion relocates heat generation to the upper area where it can dissipate more effectively, preventing heat accumulation and uneven thermal expansion while maintaining damping adjustability through the piston rod integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the throttle valve for rebound damping is arranged in the lower region of the dip tube, then the damping control is integrated, but heat from throttling collects in the lower region causing thermal expansion issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamping adjustmentVSAvoidheat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the throttle device arrangement from the vertical lower region to the horizontal upper area above the piston. This dimensional relocation allows damping adjustment functionality to be maintained while heat is generated in a different spatial zone that facilitates better thermal dissipation and prevents localized heat accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If throttle devices are positioned in the lower area of the dip tube, then the damping system is compact, but the heated oil accumulates and releases heat in the lower area causing thermal expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamping chamber volumeVSAvoidthermal expansion uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the throttle devices from the lower region of the damping chamber and relocates them to the upper area. This separation removes the heat generation source from the confined lower space, allowing the damping chamber to maintain its compact volume while preventing heat accumulation that would cause uneven thermal expansion and composition instability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enhances heat dissipation, simplifies the structure, and allows for easy adjustment of damping properties, reducing thermal expansion issues and improving the overall performance and adjustability of the suspension fork.

Implementation Method 1

heat that occurs during throttling takes place in an area at the top of or above the damping chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrottling:

Implementation Method 2

effective cooling can take place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation:

Implementation Method 3

a damping chamber on and in particular in a standpipe which is separated by a movable piston into a first chamber and a second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure separation:

Implementation Method 4

a flexible partition is provided, in particular above the damping chamber, which completely and tightly seals the damping fluid against air or another compressible medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam prevention:

Implementation Method 5

the standpipes made of a metal or containing metal particles ensures high thermal conductivity, so that improved heat dissipation occurs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2187086B1Suspension fork

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 DT SWISS AG

AI summary

The suspension fork (1) has damper system (8) having a damper chamber (10) that is divided into upper chamber and lower chamber by a movable piston (9) and rebound damping device and compression damping device. The damper system is arranged at the stanchion tube (2), so that the rebound damping device and compression damping device are arranged above the movable piston.