Motorcycle Front Suspension Buffer Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front-wheel suspension devices for saddle riding vehicles face limitations in steering angle due to constraints on the lower arm's shape, which restricts clearance with the front fork and compromises riding comfort.

Innovation Solution

A front-wheel suspension device design where the buffer is coupled to the fork holder instead of the lower arm, allowing for increased design freedom and improved load distribution, enabling a wider steering angle and enhanced riding comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the buffer is coupled to the lower arm, then the suspension structure is simplified, but the steering angle is limited due to clearance constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension structureVSAvoidsteering angle

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffer coupling function from the lower arm to the fork holder, allowing independent optimization of each component. The lower arm can be designed for steering clearance while the fork holder handles buffer coupling, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fork holder serves as an intermediary component that receives both the buffer coupling and the lower arm connection. This mediator allows the buffer to be coupled indirectly to the lower arm through the fork holder, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling greater steering freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the lower arm shape is constrained by buffer coupling, then manufacturing is simplified, but riding comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelower arm designVSAvoidriding comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the buffer coupling function from the lower arm, the patent allows the lower arm to be optimized for riding comfort without manufacturing complexity. The fork holder becomes the dedicated buffer coupling point, enabling independent optimization of both manufacturing ease and comfort performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the buffer coupling point is on the lower arm, then the structure is compact, but load distribution is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefront section sizeVSAvoidload distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the buffer coupling point from the lower arm to the fork holder, utilizing the vertical dimension and different spatial location. This dimensional change allows optimal load distribution through the fork holder while maintaining compact overall vehicle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11235836B2Front-wheel suspension device for saddle riding vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A motorcycle includes: a front swing arm; a fork holder coupled to the front swing arm in a swingable manner; a front fork steerably supported by the fork holder; and a front cushion unit. In a front-wheel suspension device, one end of the front cushion unit is coupled to the body frame, and the other end of the front cushion unit is coupled to the fork holder.