Motorcycle Suspension Spring Rate and Riding Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle suspension systems cannot variably adjust the riding position with constant or changing loads without additional units or actuators, and existing solutions either fail to maintain spring rate consistency or require complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A spring and damping arrangement using a series circuit of a coil spring, an air spring unit, and a hydraulic actuator, where the air volume of the air spring is influenced by load changes, allowing automatic adjustment of spring rate and riding position through hydraulic actuation, without the need for additional actuators or compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjustment systems act on damper elements to change damping properties, then soft or hard damping can be achieved, but level control or variable driving position cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damper element adjustment system with a separate level control system into a single integrated suspension assembly. The damper can be adjusted for soft or hard damping while the air spring independently controls the driving position, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is designed to perform multiple functions: the damper element provides damping adjustment for comfort or sport modes, while the air spring unit simultaneously provides level control for variable driving positions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate adjustment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional units or actuators are provided for adjusting spring rate and riding position, then continuous adjustment is possible, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it adjusts both the spring rate by controlling the precompression force on the coil spring and simultaneously controls the riding position by adjusting the air spring volume. This single actuator replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hydraulic actuator with a movable piston to control both the precompression force on the coil spring and the volume of the air spring. By varying the hydraulic pressure and piston position, the system achieves continuous adjustment of both spring rate and riding position without requiring multiple discrete adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a compressor is provided for generating compressed air, then air spring volume can be adjusted, but space and weight requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the motorcycle's existing hydraulic system to control the air spring volume, eliminating the need for a dedicated air compressor. The hydraulic actuator leverages the available hydraulic pressure in the motorcycle to adjust the air spring, using resources already present in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuator that uses hydraulic pressure to control the volume of the air spring unit. This approach replaces the need for an electric compressor with a hydraulic-based solution that is already integrated into the motorcycle's suspension system, reducing weight and space requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If spring rate is adjusted with changing loads, then riding comfort is improved, but maintaining constant spring rate becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the spring rate based on the load conditions through the hydraulic actuator. The movable piston in the hydraulic actuator can vary the precompression force on the coil spring in real-time, allowing the spring rate to adapt to changing loads while maintaining optimal riding characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring system by using the hydraulic actuator to adjust the precompression force on the coil spring and the volume of the air spring. This allows the spring rate to be varied continuously depending on the load, transitioning from a static spring system to a dynamically adjustable one.
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
Enables continuous adjustment of the riding position with constant load and maintains desired spring rate under varying loads, ensuring a comfortable and stable ride by automatically adjusting the hydraulic loading of the actuator based on load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a series circuit formed in the sequence from at least one coil spring (10), an air spring unit (20) and a hydraulic actuator (30)
Implementation Method 2
an air spring unit (20), which is mechanically coupled directly to the coil spring (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring and damping arrangement (1) for adjusting the spring rate and the driving position of a motorcycle, comprising a series circuit having at least one helical spring (10), an air spring unit (20), and a hydraulic actuating element (30). As a function of a force F acting from the outside on the spring and damping arrangement (1), the spring rate of the air spring unit changes, wherein the driving position change resulting therefrom is compensated by means of the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuating element (30). In this way, a defined driving position can be adjusted or maintained.