Front Fork Cross-Brace Restraint for Wheelie Control and Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension restraint devices for motorcycles fail to effectively prevent the front wheel from rising during aggressive acceleration, leading to steering difficulties and loss of control, while also suffering from wear-and-tear and inadvertent engagement issues.
Innovation Solution
An improved suspension restraint system with a fork ring and latching pins, featuring a cross member and non-linearly mounted fasteners, distributes force and includes wear indicators, allowing for better stability and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple hook is used to lock down the front fork, then the center of gravity is lowered and wheelie is prevented, but wear-and-tear on the fork guard increases and inadvertent engagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic fork guard interface member is introduced as an intermediary between the metal hook and the fork guard. This interface member absorbs the wear and tear, preventing damage to the fork guard while maintaining the wheelie prevention function. The interface member is specifically designed to be replaceable and resistant to wear from hook engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface member is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn. This allows the expensive fork guard to be protected while the inexpensive interface member absorbs the wear. The system trades a cheap, replaceable part to protect a expensive, permanent structure.
2Reliability
If a simple hook is used to lock down the front fork, then the center of gravity is lowered and wheelie is prevented, but the risk of inadvertent engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic release mechanism where the hook automatically disengages from the interface member when the front fork is compressed during braking. This dynamic behavior prevents inadvertent engagement while maintaining reliable wheelie prevention during acceleration. The system transitions between engaged and disengaged states based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface member is designed with features that guide the hook into proper engagement position before final locking occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures that engagement only happens when properly aligned, preventing inadvertent engagement while maintaining reliable wheelie prevention.
3Ease of manufacture
If fasteners are mounted linearly on the fork guard, then installation is simple, but stress concentration occurs reducing device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are arranged in a non-linear, asymmetric pattern on the fork guard rather than a simple linear arrangement. This asymmetric distribution of fasteners spreads the stress more evenly across the mounting surface, preventing stress concentration while maintaining ease of installation. The pattern is specifically designed to optimize stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener mounting pattern transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement to a two-dimensional distributed pattern on the fork guard surface. This dimensional change allows stress to be distributed across a larger area and in multiple directions, preventing stress concentration and extending device lifespan while keeping installation straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension restraint device can be used for releasably locking a front fork of a motorcycle. The suspension restraint device can include a hold down component and a cross member. The hold down component can include a hold down base and a plurality of a biased retention members (e.g., spring-loaded latching pin assemblies) received within the hold down base, the hold down base extending in a first direction. The cross member can be mounted to the hold down component between a corresponding pair of biased retention assemblies, the cross member extending in a second direction different than the first direction. The cross member and the hold down component can be configured to be further mounted to a motorcycle plastic component. At least one given biased retention assembly can be configured to releasably lock relative to the front fork of the motorcycle.