Front Fork Damping Variable Leg Stroke Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front forks require increased operation steps and time for calibration due to separate damping force variable devices and stroke sensors in individual legs, leading to complex calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
Integration of damping force variable devices and stroke sensors into a single damping variable leg, utilizing an outer and inner tube configuration with a piston rod and conductor member to detect stroke amounts based on inductance changes, allowing simultaneous calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If damping force variable devices and stroke sensors are provided in individual legs, then the front fork can provide different effects to each leg, but the number of calibration operation steps increases and calibration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damping force variable device and stroke sensor into a single damping variable leg, merging two separate functional structures into one integrated assembly. This allows both functions to coexist in a single leg while eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining the capability to provide different effects to each leg through selective configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The damping variable leg is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both a damping force variable device and a stroke sensor. The leg can detect stroke amounts through inductance changes while also providing variable damping force control, making it a multi-functional component that reduces overall system complexity and calibration requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If damping force variable devices and stroke sensors are provided in individual legs, then each structure can be independently configured, but the calibration operation steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the damping force variable device and stroke sensor into a single integrated damping variable leg, the patent reduces the number of independent structures from two to one. This integration maintains configuration flexibility while simplifying the calibration process, as only one leg requires calibration procedures rather than two separate legs
3Ease of manufacture
If separate structures are provided in individual legs, then functional separation is achieved, but space utilization and wire management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional structures into a single damping variable leg, consolidating components that were previously distributed across two legs. This integration improves space utilization by reducing the total volume occupied by sensor and actuator components, while also simplifying wire management by reducing the number of electrical connections required
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
Simplifies the calibration process, reduces operation time, and enhances cost performance by integrating functions within a single leg, while allowing for potential space optimization and reduced wire management within the front fork.
Implementation Method 1
the damping variable leg detects a stroke amount of the damping variable leg based on a change in inductance of the coil conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
A front fork has a damping variable leg including: an outer tube at an upper end side; an inner tube at a lower end side and inserted into the outer tube; a piston rod attached to the outer tube and extending toward the lower end side; a piston at a lower end of the piston rod; and a damping force variable device at the piston so as to generate variable damping force by controlling a flow of an operating fluid. The damping variable leg further includes: a conductor member attached to the piston; and a coil conductor covered with an insulating member and attached to the inner tube. The conductor member is configured to be inserted into the coil conductor. The damping variable leg detects a stroke amount of the damping variable leg based on a change in inductance of the coil conductor.