Multi-link Motorcycle Suspension with Ball Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motorcycle suspension systems, particularly those with telescopic forks, face issues such as diving under braking and sliding friction in bushings, leading to suboptimal performance and handling.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system featuring a wheel carrier with locating arms and ball joints, along with telescoping spring damper units and a steering shaft with universal joints, which allows for independent suspension and steering motion, improving handling and performance by distributing load and motion effectively across the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a telescopic fork is used in the steering system, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system experiences diving under braking and sliding friction in the bushings
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is divided into separate functional components: a steering assembly that rotates independently and a suspension assembly that handles vertical motion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating the diving problem caused by the integrated telescopic fork while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static telescopic fork structure to a dynamic multi-link suspension system where the locating arms and ball joints allow independent rotation and suspension motion. This dynamic configuration enables the steering to rotate without being constrained by suspension movement, eliminating sliding friction in bushings while improving reliability.
2Device complexity
If a telescopic fork is used, then the structure is simple, but the handling and performance are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
By separating steering and suspension functions into distinct assemblies, the system achieves better handling performance despite increased component count. The steering assembly can rotate independently without being affected by suspension motion, providing superior handling characteristics compared to the integrated telescopic fork.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the suspension linkage (locating arm lengths, ball joint positions) to optimize handling characteristics. The multi-link configuration allows for adjustable track width and suspension geometry, improving handling and performance beyond what is achievable with a fixed telescopic fork design.
3Ease of operation
If the locating arms are positioned with rearward ends spaced horizontally outward at greater distance from the medial plane, then the steering response is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating arms are positioned asymmetrically with rearward ends spaced horizontally outward at greater distances from the medial plane compared to the forward ends. This asymmetric configuration optimizes steering response by creating a more favorable steering geometry, and the complexity is managed through symmetrical pairing of left and right arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating arms extend in multiple dimensions with both horizontal and vertical spacing between forward and rearward ends. This three-dimensional configuration allows for optimized steering response through adjusted geometry while maintaining a compact overall structure that manages complexity.
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
Enhances handling and performance by allowing simultaneous suspension and steering motion, reducing the tendency to dive under braking and minimizing sliding friction, resulting in improved stability and control.
Implementation Method 1
telescoping spring damper units
Implementation Method 2
telescoping spring damper units
Implementation Method 3
forward ball joint connecting the forward end of the locating arms with the wheel carrier, and a rearward ball joint connecting the rearward end of the locating arm with the frame
Implementation Method 4
steering shaft with universal joints
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame with a medial plane and a wheel defining a central plane. The suspension system comprises a wheel carrier rotatably connectable with the wheel and operably connected to the handle bar assembly for transferring steering motion from the handle bar assembly to the wheel, a steering shaft configured to transmit steering motion from the handle bar assembly to the wheel carrier, a plurality of locating arms, each of the plurality of locating arms having a forward end and a rearward end, a forward ball joint connecting the forward end of each of the plurality of locating arms with the wheel carrier and a rearward ball joint connecting the rearward end of each of the plurality of locating arms with the frame.