Motorcycle Front Wheel Suspension with Axle-Mounted Coil Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems for choppers transmit front wheel vibration rearwardly and upwardly, leading to heavier springs and increased trail measurements, which affect handling and stability, as they do not effectively address vibrations near the front wheel and result in undesirable steering characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with two elongate, parallel members that pivotally mount coil springs close to the front wheel, allowing for vertical movement cushioning and adjustable compression to minimize trail measurement, thereby addressing vibrations near the front wheel and improving stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suspension systems transmit front wheel vibration rearwardly and upwardly through elongate members, then the vibration can be dealt with by springs at the handlebar, but the springs become heavier and the trail measurement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration cushioning function from the remote handlebar location and relocates it directly to the front wheel axle location. The coil springs are positioned to directly support the front wheel axle, isolating the vibration source from the elongate members and handlebar area, thereby eliminating the need for heavy remote springs while maintaining effective vibration cushioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces small diameter tube stock as an intermediary structure that directly connects the front wheel axle to the coil springs. This intermediary arrangement allows the springs to act directly on the wheel axle without transmitting vibration through the elongate members, serving as a direct mechanical pathway that eliminates the need for heavy remote springing
2Shape
If conventional suspension systems use elongate members extending forwardly and downwardly, then the chopper achieves its unique look, but the trail measurement becomes large causing steering difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from the conventional configuration where elongate members extend forwardly and downwardly from the handlebar area, to a new configuration where small diameter tube stock extends horizontally or slightly downwardly from the front wheel axle. This dimensional repositioning allows the suspension to maintain the chopper aesthetic while achieving minimal trail measurement for improved steering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional suspension logic by positioning the spring support structure at the front wheel axle rather than at the handlebar location. Instead of transmitting vibration from the wheel to the handlebar area, the system directly supports the wheel axle with springs positioned near the wheel, thereby minimizing trail while maintaining the visual style
3Reliability
If front wheel vibration is transmitted upwardly and rearwardly along elongate members, then the vibration can be cushioned by remote springs, but the vibration is not dealt with in close proximity to where it originates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration cushioning function from the remote handlebar location and relocates it directly to the front wheel axle location. The coil springs are positioned to directly support the front wheel axle, isolating the vibration source from the elongate members and handlebar area, thereby eliminating the need for heavy remote springs while maintaining effective vibration cushioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the suspension system into distinct functional components: the coil springs directly support the front wheel axle, the small diameter tube stock provides direct structural support, and the elongate members serve only as aesthetic elements. This segmentation allows vibration to be addressed at its source without complex transmission paths through the elongate members
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 reduces the need for heavy springs, minimizes trail measurement, and provides a smoother, safer ride by cushioning vibrations near the front wheel, enhancing over-the-road stability and handling characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a separate coil spring that projects out of an associated one of the elongate members to cushion over-the-road vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a steerable front wheel of a vehicle such as a motorcycle has two substantially identical, straight, elongate, tubular members that extend forwardly and downwardly from the vicinity of a handlebar of the vehicle along opposite sides of a lower rear quadrant of the front wheel and have open front end regions that at least partially enclose compressible coil suspension system springs. Elongate arms are pivotally connected to brackets that are rigidly secured either above or below the open front end regions of the elongate members, define surfaces that extend across the open front ends of the front end regions to be pressed against by the suspension system springs, and have upper end regions that support opposite ends of a front wheel's axle that extends between the two elongate arms. By adjusting the extent to which the suspension springs are compressed, the ride provided by the suspension system is adjusted.