Front Fork Hybrid Suspension for Damping and Low Sliding Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front fork designs fail to adequately improve ride comfort due to insufficient damping and reaction force distribution, leading to increased impact absorption and reduced stability.
Innovation Solution
A front fork design incorporating a first shock absorber with a coil spring and a second shock absorber featuring a coil spring and air chambers, where both systems share reaction forces and utilize damping force generation parts to dampen vibrations and reduce sliding resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a front fork uses only air springs or damping force generation parts without coil springs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ride comfort deteriorates due to insufficient impact absorption and damping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines coil springs and air springs into a hybrid suspension system where both spring types work together to provide comprehensive impact absorption. The coil spring (50) and air spring (60) are arranged in parallel within the shock absorber assembly, allowing them to share the load and provide complementary damping characteristics that improve ride comfort while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite spring system combining metallic coil springs and pneumatic air springs. This composite approach leverages the advantages of both materials: the coil spring provides immediate mechanical response to impacts, while the air spring offers progressive damping and adjustable stiffness, creating a synergistic effect that enhances overall suspension performance.
2Reliability
If the second cylinder has a large-diameter portion with seal member sliding contact, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the sliding resistance increases reducing ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a stepped cylinder structure where the second cylinder (110) has different diameter sections. The large-diameter portion (111) provides enhanced sealing contact area, while the small-diameter portion (114) reduces the overall sliding resistance. The seal member is strategically positioned at the stepped portion (113) where it contacts only the large-diameter portion, localizing the sealing function to the area where it is most needed while minimizing friction elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder is segmented into distinct diameter portions, dividing the sliding interface into functional zones. The stepped structure separates the sealing function (at the large-diameter portion) from the structural support function (at the small-diameter portion), allowing each zone to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.
3Strength
If coil springs with larger mass and spring constant are used to absorb impact, then the impact absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by distributing the impact absorption function between two spring systems rather than relying on a single oversized spring. The coil spring (50) and air spring (60) share the load, with each spring designed to handle a portion of the total impact force. This allows both springs to have reduced individual mass and spring constant while collectively providing sufficient impact absorption capability.
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 design enhances ride comfort by effectively absorbing impact forces and improving stability through balanced rigidity and reduced sliding resistance, while minimizing the mass and spring constant of the coil springs used.
Implementation Method 1
A first spring configured by a coil spring urges the first tube and the second tube in a stretching direction. A second spring configured by a coil spring urges the third tube and the fourth tube in a stretching direction.
Implementation Method 2
A damping force generation part generates a damping force in accordance with the sliding of the first tube and the second tube.
Implementation Method 3
an annular seal member held on an outer peripheral surface of the second piston. The second cylinder has a second large-diameter portion having an inner peripheral surface with which the seal member is in sliding contact
Data Source
AI summary
A front fork includes a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber disposed respectively on both sides of a vehicle wheel. The first shock absorber includes a set of tubes configured to slide relative to each other; damping force generation parts configured to generate a damping force in accordance with the sliding of the tubes; and a spring configured to urge the set of tubes in a stretching direction. The second shock absorber includes a set of tubes configured to slide relative to each other; and a coil spring configured to urge the set of tubes in the stretching direction.