Motorcycle Front Wheel Guide With Roller-Bearing Ball Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front wheel guides for single-track motor vehicles face a trade-off between minimizing friction torque for precise low-speed handling and maximizing rigidity for high-speed stability, with current ball joints struggling to optimize both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating two roller bearings to support the trailing arm on a ball joint pin, with radially extending projections and an engagement ring to optimize friction torque and stiffness independently, while sealing the connection area to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a ball joint is installed on the lower triple clamp to ensure kinematic clearance, then high rigidity is achieved for driving stability at high speeds, but high frictional moment occurs about the steering axis, degrading precise driving feel at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the ball joint itself for providing rigidity and stability, and a separate friction element (friction ring or friction plate) specifically designed to generate controlled frictional moment. This segmentation allows each component to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A friction element is introduced as an intermediary component between the ball joint and the steering mechanism. This friction element acts as a mediator that provides the necessary frictional moment for precise low-speed handling while allowing the ball joint to maintain its rigidity for high-speed stability. The friction element can be a friction ring positioned around the ball joint pin or a friction plate integrated into the triple clamp assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high preload is applied in the ball joint to achieve high rigidity, then driving stability at high speeds is improved, but frictional moment about the joint axis increases, reducing target accuracy at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The preload function is segmented and assigned to the friction element rather than the ball joint itself. The ball joint is designed with optimal preload for rigidity and stability, while the friction element provides additional controlled friction to enhance precision. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's preload characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional characteristics are changed by introducing a dedicated friction element with specific friction properties. By adjusting the friction element's material, geometry, and positioning, the frictional moment can be precisely controlled to improve target accuracy without affecting the ball joint's rigidity parameters. The friction element can be designed with specific surface properties or adjustable preload mechanisms to fine-tune the frictional moment.
3Force
If the ball joint geometry and preload are adjusted to minimize friction torque, then low-speed handling precision is improved, but rigidity decreases, compromising high-speed stability
Solution Approach 1:
The friction management function is segmented into a dedicated friction element that works in conjunction with the ball joint. The ball joint geometry and preload are optimized for minimum friction and maximum rigidity, while the friction element provides the necessary frictional moment for precision. This segmentation eliminates the need to compromise ball joint rigidity to reduce friction torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction element serves as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between friction torque and rigidity. It provides the frictional moment needed for precision handling without interfering with the ball joint's rigidity characteristics. The friction element can be positioned to engage only during specific operating conditions, allowing the ball joint to maintain optimal rigidity across all operating ranges.
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 minimizes friction torque for improved low-speed accuracy, optimizes high-speed stability, extends ball joint lifespan by allowing independent stiffness adjustment, and enhances service life by reducing play in the ball joint.
Implementation Method 1
The trailing arm is rotatably mounted on the ball joint by means of two rolling bearings
Implementation Method 2
the friction torque around the ball joint is minimized by an additional roller bearing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a front wheel guide (1) for a single-track motor vehicle, comprising a telescopic fork (2), a fork bridge (6) and a longitudinal control arm (7). The telescopic fork (2) has two fork bars (3), which each comprise a lower fork tube (4) and an upper fork tube (5), which can be slid relative to the lower fork tube. The fork bridge (6) extends in a transverse direction (Q) and interconnects the lower fork tubes (4) of the fork bars (3). The longitudinal control arm (7), which is pivotably articulated to the motorcycle, is connected to the fork bridge (6) by means of a ball joint (8). The front wheel guide is characterized in that the longitudinal control arm (7) is rotatably mounted on the ball joint (8) by means of at least one rolling element bearing (9).