Steering Damper Control Device for Saddle Riding Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering damper control systems for saddle riding vehicles do not effectively inhibit steering vibration, particularly when the load on the front wheel changes rapidly, leading to unstable steering and increased rider burden.

Innovation Solution

A steering damper control apparatus that detects the rate of change of the load on the front wheel and adjusts the damping force accordingly, using a magnetic fluid damper and a control system to generate a damping force based on the detected rate of change, thereby preventing steering vibration before it occurs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the damping force is increased to inhibit steering vibration, then the steering stability is improved, but the rider's burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering stabilityVSAvoidrider's burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The damping force is made dynamically adjustable based on riding conditions. The control device varies the damping force between a first value (when acceleration is below threshold) and a second value higher than the first (when acceleration reaches or exceeds threshold), allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions rather than maintaining a fixed high damping force that would always increase rider burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damping force parameter is changed based on acceleration detection. The system monitors acceleration and adjusts the damping force parameter accordingly - maintaining a lower value during normal operation to reduce rider burden, and increasing to a higher value only when acceleration reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold to inhibit kickback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the damping force is kept low to ease rider's burden, then the ease of operation is improved, but the steering vibration cannot be inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverider's burdenVSAvoidsteering stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts damping force based on real-time acceleration detection. During normal low-acceleration operation, the damping force remains low for ease of operation. When acceleration reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold indicating potential kickback conditions, the damping force automatically increases to inhibit steering vibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The steering damper control system automatically monitors acceleration and adjusts damping force without rider intervention. The control device detects acceleration conditions and self-adjusts the damping force between first and second values, eliminating the need for manual rider adjustment while maintaining both ease of operation and steering stability as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the damping force is increased during acceleration to inhibit kickback, then the steering stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an acceleration-based control system. An acceleration detector monitors riding conditions and triggers hydraulic or electromagnetic valve actuation to adjust damping force, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustments while achieving stable kickback inhibition during acceleration events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes the damping force parameter based on acceleration threshold detection. When acceleration reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold, the system transitions the damping force from a first value to a second value, providing automated steering stability without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively inhibits steering vibration and reduces the rider's burden by generating a damping force proportional to the rate of change of the load, ensuring stable steering control and comfortable vehicle operation.

Implementation Method 1

using a magnetic fluid damper and a control system to generate a damping force based on the detected rate of change

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic fluid damping: Magnetorheological Fluid

Data Source

PatentEP2708459B1Steering-damper control device and straddled vehicle provided therewith
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2708459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2708459B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

A steering damper control apparatus includes an MR damper 45 having an adjustable steering damping force, a suspension pressure sensor 41 for detecting a pressure of a front suspension, a command value output unit 81 for determining a damping force command value according to a pressure change rate of the front suspension 40 based on a detection result of the suspension pressure sensor 41, and a damper driver 77 for causing the MR damper 45 to generate a damping force corresponding to the damping force command value. At a point of time when steering has become easily shakable, the damping force corresponding to the damping force command value can be generated to inhibit shaking of the steering beforehand.