Front Fork Air Bleed Assembly for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shock assemblies in vehicles face increased axial friction due to pressure differentials when operated at elevations different from their assembly location, leading to inefficiencies in telescoping suspension forks.
Innovation Solution
An automatic air bleed assembly with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties is integrated into the front fork assembly, allowing air pressure within the fork to equalize with ambient pressure, reducing friction and preventing fluid leakage or ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fork is assembled in a sealed environment with ambient air, then the fork seal is protected from leakage, but pressure differential occurs when operating at different elevations causing increased axial friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an air permeable material with oleophobic-hydrophobic properties that allows air molecules to pass through while blocking oil and water. This porous structure enables pressure equalization between the sealed fork environment and ambient atmosphere, eliminating pressure differentials that cause increased axial friction at different elevations, while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material combining oleophobic and hydrophobic properties in a single air permeable component. This composite material simultaneously provides air permeability for pressure equalization, oil repellency to prevent lubrication loss, and water repellency to prevent contamination, resolving the contradiction between sealed protection and pressure equalization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fork operates at high elevation with lower ambient pressure, then the fork can function in varied environments, but the pressure differential creates added load to the fork seal
Solution Approach 1:
The air permeable material with oleophobic-hydrophobic properties allows the fork to adapt to different elevation environments by equalizing pressure between the sealed interior and ambient exterior. This prevents excessive seal pressure at high elevations while maintaining the sealed protective environment, enabling versatile operation across varying altitudes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If air permeable material is used for pressure equalization, then pressure equilibrium is achieved, but oil leakage may occur through the same passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material with both air permeability and oleophobic properties. The molecular structure allows air molecules to pass through while the oleophobic characteristics repel oil molecules, preventing lubrication leakage. This composite approach simultaneously achieves pressure equilibrium and prevents substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The air permeable material with oleophobic-hydrophobic properties exhibits different permeability characteristics for different substances at the same location. It is permeable to air molecules for pressure equalization while being impermeable to oil molecules, creating local quality differences that resolve the contradiction between pressure equilibrium and oil retention.
4Reliability
If the fork seal is made tighter to prevent leakage, then fluid retention is improved, but axial friction increases due to pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The air permeable material with oleophobic-hydrophobic properties provides a selective barrier that maintains fluid retention while allowing air passage for pressure equalization. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the seal to remain tight for fluid retention while permitting pressure equilibrium through the porous structure, preventing increased axial friction.
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 automatic air bleed assembly maintains optimal pressure equilibrium, reducing axial friction and ensuring smooth operation across varying elevations while preventing oil leakage and water ingress.
Implementation Method 1
The automatic air bleed assembly may comprise a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore
Implementation Method 2
The automatic air bleed assembly may comprise a material with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore
Implementation Method 3
The automatic air bleed assembly may comprise an air permeable material (or combination of materials) with oleophobic-hydrophobic properties located within said bore
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A front fork assembly (100) comprising: an inner fork tube (140) and an outer fork tube (150), wherein the inner fork tube and outer fork tube are configured to engage telescopically, and wherein the outer fork tube contains an oil bath lubrication within an area thereof; a seal (265) configured for closing a gap between the inner fork tube (140) and the outer fork tube (150) when they are telescopically engaged, such that the oil bath lubrication within the outer fork tube is prevented from leaking out from the outer fork tube; a fluid passage (211, 212 ) disposed between an interior of the outer fork tube (140) and an exterior of the outer fork tube, wherein the fluid passage is located below the seal (265); and an automatic air bleed assembly (205) disposed on the outer fork tube (140), said automatic air bleed assembly comprising: a housing (405) coupled to the fluid passage (211, 212), said housing comprising at least one bore (455) and at least one orifice (402); and a material (410) with oleophobic and hydrophobic properties located within said bore.