Front-Wheel Suspension Rigidity via Segmented Swing Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front-wheel suspension devices for saddle riding vehicles lack sufficient rigidity, which affects maneuvering characteristics and requires a broader range of selection for the front swing arm and suspension components.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a swing arm with an upper and lower arm mounted to the body frame, a fork holder with an extended portion in the vehicle width direction, and a buffer extending from the body frame to the lower arm, allowing for optimized coupling sites that reduce the length of the upper arm and enhance rigidity, while also improving working efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the front swing arm or front-wheel suspension device is made more rigid, then maneuvering characteristics improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front swing arm is divided into an upper arm and a lower arm that are coupled together. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimized independently for rigidity while simplifying manufacturing and assembly compared to a single complex piece
Solution Approach 2:
The upper arm is positioned to overlap the lower arm in the vehicle width direction, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that increases rigidity through spatial configuration rather than increasing material quantity or complexity
2Length of moving object
If the upper arm length is reduced to increase rigidity, then the coupling site position changes, but the fork holder structure must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The fork holder is designed with an extended portion that protrudes in the vehicle width direction before the upper arm is coupled to it. This preliminary structural preparation allows the upper arm to be positioned optimally for rigidity without requiring complex modifications to the fork holder during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The extended portion of the fork holder serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting surface for the upper arm, positions the coupling site optimally, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components
3Force
If the buffer is positioned to overlap the coupling site, then load reception improves, but the arrangement space is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer is positioned to overlap the coupling site between the upper arm and body frame in the vehicle width direction, utilizing the three-dimensional space efficiently. This spatial arrangement allows the buffer to receive loads effectively without requiring additional horizontal space that would increase the overall device footprint
Data Source
AI summary
A motorcycle includes: a front swing arm that includes upper arms and lower arms; a fork holder; a front fork; and a front cushion unit. The fork holder of a front-wheel suspension device includes a pair of left and right sideward extended portions which extend in the vehicle width direction. The front ends of the left and right upper arms are attached to the left and right sideward extended portions though connecting shafts, respectively.