Spring Stiffness Adjustment via Helical Groove Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spring stiffness adjustment mechanisms in mechanical systems, such as those used in motorcycles, are time-consuming and require spring replacement to achieve optimal settings, especially during competitions or sudden changes in weather conditions, as they only allow modification of preload which affects the entire characteristic curve, not just specific stiffness values.
Innovation Solution
A system that adjusts the stiffness of springs by using a helical groove bearing surface mechanism, allowing continuous variation of spring stiffness without replacing the spring, by enabling the spring to be pushed from different heights and activating or deactivating coils, thus modifying the gradient of the spring's characteristic curve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spring replacement is used to achieve desired stiffness values, then the correct stiffness can be obtained, but the setup time and effort are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the spring stiffness to be continuously varied during operation. A threaded rod with variable pitch enables the spring to be compressed to different extents, thereby dynamically changing the effective stiffness without requiring spring replacement. This resolves the contradiction by making the stiffness adjustable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of spring compression length to achieve different stiffness values. By adjusting the position of the compression plate along the threaded rod, the effective length and stiffness of the spring are modified. This allows continuous variation of stiffness parameters without replacing the spring, thus reducing setup time while maintaining accuracy.
2Force
If preload adjustment is used to modify the characteristic curve, then the force at specific stroke can be increased, but the entire characteristic curve is shifted and spring replacement is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spring's active coils by allowing selective engagement of different portions of the spring through the adjustable compression plate. By changing the compression length, different segments of the spring's characteristic curve are activated, enabling independent adjustment of force at specific strokes without shifting the entire curve. This provides versatility in stiffness adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the spring compression length dynamically adjustable through the threaded rod mechanism. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the spring's effective stiffness and force characteristics to match specific racing conditions, providing the versatility needed to optimize performance without being constrained by fixed preload settings.
3Ease of operation
If a disk with vertical motion is used for preload adjustment, then the load on the spring can be modified, but the adjustment is time-consuming and requires spring replacement for optimal settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional disk-based preload adjustment mechanism with a threaded rod and compression plate system. This mechanical substitution allows for more precise and faster adjustment of spring compression by simply rotating the threaded rod to move the compression plate, eliminating the need for time-consuming disk adjustments and spring replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous change of the spring compression parameter through the threaded rod mechanism. By adjusting the rotation of the threaded rod, the compression length can be smoothly varied to achieve optimal stiffness settings quickly, replacing the discrete and time-consuming preload adjustment methods of traditional systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If the spring compression length is varied to adjust stiffness, then the gradient of the characteristic curve can be modified, but a mechanism is needed to enable this adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded rod mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides precise adjustment of spring compression length, maintains axial alignment of the spring, and enables continuous variation of stiffness values. This multi-functionality achieves precise stiffness control without requiring a complex dedicated adjustment mechanism for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plate acts as an intermediary element between the threaded rod and the spring. It translates the rotational motion of the threaded rod into precise linear displacement of the spring compression point, enabling accurate stiffness adjustment while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and maintainable.
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
This solution significantly reduces setup time and effort, allowing for any desired stiffness value between minimum and maximum, avoiding the need for spring replacement and enabling quicker adjustments during competitions.
Implementation Method 1
a thread (8) having the same pitch of the spring (9) inside the fork. Said thread (8) must be coupled with the helical groove (10) on the inner surface of the third element (11)
Implementation Method 2
springs are characterized by an elastic constant called k (for which it is valid the formula F=k*x with F equal to the force generated by the spring after a compression x of said spring)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A spring adjustment system having an inner leading element (1,18) receiving the rotary motion externally given through an adjustment nut (2, 19) placed upon a cap (3, 14), and a body element (6, 16) - receiving the rotation of said inner leading element (1, 18) - with a grooved surface (12, 35) having a thread pitch bearing all or only a portion of the spring coils and having a machined surface (8, 36) with a thread pitch - a guidance element (11, 15), having a machined surface (10, 17), coupled with the machined surface (8, 36) of said body element (6, 16); wherein said guidance element forces said body element (6, 16) into an helical path, once set in rotation by said leading element (1, 18), said guidance element (11, 15) being fixed to said cap (3, 14) of said adjusting system.