User-Accessible Shock Travel Spacer for Ride Height Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems face challenges in maintaining optimal ride height and performance across varying rider weights, as the suspension settings are often not adaptable to changes in weight, leading to issues like reduced ride height, steering problems, and loss of control.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a user-accessible shock travel spacer system that allows end-users to adjust the stroke of the suspension by adding or removing travel spacers within the air chamber of the shock assembly, without the need to rebleed or charge the shock, thus maintaining consistent external geometry and fitment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suspension is setup for a specific rider weight, then the ride quality is optimized for that weight, but the suspension performance deteriorates when rider weight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the shock assembly's internal volume through the addition or removal of spacers. This changes the air chamber volume parameter, allowing the suspension to be reconfigured for different rider weights without replacing the entire shock assembly. The spacer thickness directly controls the volume adjustment parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the shock assembly into modular components including the shock body, air chamber, and removable spacers. This segmentation allows users to easily add or remove spacers to adjust suspension characteristics for different rider weights, making the system adaptable without requiring complete shock replacement.
2Length of moving object
If the shock stroke is increased for off-road environments, then the suspension travel is improved, but the ride height is reduced and steering problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting the air chamber volume through spacer installation. By modifying the internal volume parameter, the system can optimize shock stroke length for off-road conditions while maintaining proper ride height geometry, preventing steering problems associated with excessive stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the shock assembly characteristics to be changed based on operating conditions. Users can reconfigure the spacer arrangement to adjust stroke length dynamically suited to different terrains - shorter stroke for smooth surfaces and longer stroke for off-road environments - while maintaining proper geometric relationships.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shock assembly is disassembled to adjust stroke length, then the suspension performance is optimized, but the complexity of adjustment increases and requires professional service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring spacers with different thicknesses and characteristics before they are installed in the shock assembly. Users can select and install the appropriate spacer configuration for their needs without having to disassemble the entire shock or perform complex adjustments, making customization accessible to end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from complex shock disassembly by using removable spacers that can be independently added or removed. This extraction allows users to modify suspension characteristics without disassembling the shock assembly, maintaining ease of operation while achieving customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A user accessible shock travel spacer assembly is disclosed herein. The system is used on a shock assembly having a shaft with an initial predefined stroke length. A retaining cap having a retaining cap thickness and a retaining cap opening therethrough. The retaining cap opening having a diameter that is larger than an outer diameter (OD) of a shaft of a shock assembly. At least one fastener to fasten the retaining cap with a portion of the shock assembly about the shaft, such that the retaining cap reduces a stroke length of the shaft of the shock assembly by the retaining cap thickness.