Motorcycle Hold Down System for Suspension Rigidization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycle suspension systems dissipate power and traction during acceleration, leading to reduced performance and instability, particularly during the start of racing events.
Innovation Solution
A hold down system comprising a base attached to a suspension linkage arm, a biasing pin that extends and latches to secure the chassis, and a latching mechanism that releases when the chassis deflects, effectively compressing the suspension to enhance traction and stability during acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the suspension is made rigid to improve traction and stability during acceleration, then traction and stability are improved, but the suspension loses its ability to absorb bumps and maintain wheel contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions the suspension between rigid and flexible states. During acceleration, the hold-down system rigidizes the suspension to improve traction. During normal operation, the suspension remains flexible to absorb bumps. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by making the suspension rigid only when needed for traction while maintaining flexibility for bump absorption at other times.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down system applies a preliminary constraint force to prevent suspension movement during acceleration. By engaging the hold-down mechanism before acceleration occurs (or at the onset of acceleration), the system preemptively stabilizes the chassis to prevent power dissipation and traction loss, while the suspension remains capable of responding to bumps when the hold-down is disengaged.
2Productivity
If the hold down system is engaged to compress the suspension and improve acceleration, then acceleration performance is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down system is segmented into separate functional components: a hold-down mechanism for rigidizing the suspension, a biasing mechanism for automatic engagement/disengagement, and a latching mechanism for securing the compressed state. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability despite the increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism automatically engages and disengages the hold-down system based on suspension movement, eliminating the need for external control systems. The system self-regulates by using the suspension's own movement to trigger engagement during acceleration and disengagement during normal operation, reducing control complexity while maintaining acceleration performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pin is held extended to maintain suspension compression, then chassis stability is improved, but the force required to extend the pin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism pre-compresses the suspension and holds the pin in the extended position before acceleration occurs. By preparing the system in advance with the suspension already compressed and locked, the force required to maintain this state during acceleration is reduced, as the biasing mechanism continues to apply the compressive force rather than requiring continuous high force from the extension mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pin and the suspension spring. It transfers and maintains the compressive force on the suspension while allowing the pin to be held in position with reduced force. The biasing mechanism absorbs the force requirements, enabling the pin to maintain suspension compression stability without requiring excessive extension force.
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 provides maximum traction and stability by making the rear suspension solid during the start procedure, allowing quicker acceleration and reduced movement, while automatically returning to its original state post-start, maintaining suspension functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The pin can be biased in a third direction opposite the second direction and toward the base
Data Source
AI summary
A hold down system for a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a chassis biased by a suspension in a first direction away from a supporting surface. The hold down system comprises a base for attachment to a linkage arm of the suspension. The hold down system can further include a pin slidably coupled with the base, where the pin is extensible in a second direction away from the base. The pin can be biased in a third direction opposite the second direction and toward the base. The hold down system can also include a latching mechanism for attachment to the vehicle. The latching mechanism can be configured to latch the pin when the pin is extended in the second direction away from the base, and to release the pin in the third direction toward the base when the chassis is deflected in a fourth direction opposite the first direction.