Motorcycle Height Adjustment via Suspension Spring Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjustment systems for motorcycles fail to maintain optimal height during travel and halt conditions, leading to difficulties in rider access and stability issues due to inconsistent height adjustments and potential malfunctions in current electromagnetic actuator systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle height adjustment system that utilizes a controller to manage a front-wheel and rear-wheel passage switch unit, adjusting oil flow to change the length of suspension springs based on speed, with a malfunction detector to maintain vehicle height by controlling current flow to solenoids, ensuring consistent height adjustments and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic actuator is used for automatic height adjustment, then height adjustment is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential actuator failures and inconsistent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic actuator system with a mechanical height adjustment mechanism operated by a lever. This mechanical system eliminates the reliability issues of electromagnetic actuators while reducing device complexity. The lever directly transmits mechanical force to adjust the suspension spring length, providing consistent and reliable height adjustment without electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical lever system allows the rider to manually control height adjustment without requiring external power sources or electronic control systems. The system serves itself through direct mechanical operation, eliminating the need for sensors, controllers, and electromagnetic actuators, thereby improving reliability and reducing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If vehicle height is adjusted during travel, then rider access is improved, but stability deteriorates due to height changes affecting vehicle dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic height adjustment system where the lever can be operated to change suspension spring length during travel. The mechanical design allows smooth height transitions that maintain vehicle stability by gradually adjusting the suspension characteristics rather than making abrupt changes, thus balancing rider access needs with vehicle stability.
3Extent of automation
If electromagnetic actuator system is implemented, then automatic height adjustment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical lever system enables the rider to directly control height adjustment without complex electronic control systems. The self-service mechanism allows intuitive operation where the rider simply moves the lever to achieve desired height, eliminating the need for sensors, controllers, and automated decision-making algorithms, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining practical automation for travel and halt conditions.
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 system effectively adjusts motorcycle height in response to speed changes, enhancing rider access and stability by maintaining optimal height settings and preventing unexpected height changes due to actuator failures.
Implementation Method 1
a front-wheel and rear-wheel passage switch unit (300, 302) that switches among passages of oil, a solenoid, and a controller that controls the passage switch unit by using a rotation speed of the front wheel and/or a rotation speed of the rear wheel
Implementation Method 2
adjusting oil flow to change the length of suspension springs
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer, a vehicle height controller, and a malfunction detector The changer is drivable when supplied with a current and configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle relative to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle height controller is configured to perform such control that a target current set based on the relative position is supplied to the changer so as to control a vehicle height, which is a height of the body of the vehicle. The malfunction detector is configured to detect a failure to make the target current flow to the changer