Steering Damper Valve Adjusts Damping via Relative Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering dampers struggle to effectively separate desired steering movements from undesired shocks caused by uneven ground surfaces without electronic components, leading to potential delays in steering response and increased risk of handlebar instability.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical steering damper system with a main valve unit coupled to both the attaching part and the steering device, adjusting hydraulic fluid flow between damping chambers based on relative movement between the attaching part and the steering device to differentiate between steering-induced and ground-induced movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a steering damper provides strong damping to reduce handlebar instability from ground shocks, then stability is improved, but steering response delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve unit dynamically adjusts the damping characteristic by changing the flow area for hydraulic fluid based on the direction of movement. When the steering device moves in the intended steering direction, the valve opens to reduce damping and improve response. When moved by ground shocks, the valve maintains damping to stabilize the handlebar.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the relative movement between the attaching part and steering device as feedback to control the valve position. This feedback mechanism allows the damper to automatically distinguish between driver-initiated steering movements and ground-induced shocks, adjusting damping accordingly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a steering damper damps all rotational movements to prevent handlebar shock, then stability is improved, but steering precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damping characteristic is made dynamic rather than static. The valve unit changes the flow area in real-time based on movement direction, providing low damping for precision steering movements and high damping for stabilizing against shocks, thus achieving both precision and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different damping forces are applied locally based on the direction of movement. The valve unit creates different flow resistance for different movement directions, allowing precise steering in the intended direction while providing strong damping against unwanted shocks from other directions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are added to sense and control damping, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering damper is self-regulating through its mechanical design. The relative movement between the attaching part and steering device automatically controls the valve position without requiring external sensors, controllers, or power sources. The system serves itself by using its own operational movements to regulate its damping characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic sensing and control systems are replaced with a purely mechanical solution. The valve unit is mechanically coupled to both the attaching part and steering device, using mechanical relative movement to directly control the hydraulic flow area, eliminating the need for electronics while maintaining adaptability.
4Device complexity
If a mechanical solution is used instead of electronic components, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary that translates mechanical movement into flow rate changes. The valve unit modulates the hydraulic fluid flow based on relative movement, providing precise control of damping force without requiring direct measurement or sensing components. The fluid itself carries the control information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to achieve precise damping control. By controlling the flow area for hydraulic fluid through the mechanically-coupled valve unit, the system achieves precise adjustment of damping characteristics based on movement direction, replacing electronic measurement with hydraulic control.
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 allows for robust, reliable control of rotational damping, varying damping force in response to movement causes, ensuring desired steering precision while minimizing unwanted shocks, without the need for electronic components, and providing consistent performance across different users.
Implementation Method 1
The flow of the hydraulic fluid between the chambers is adjusted by a main valve unit and enables an adjustable damping of the relative motion between the steering device and the frame/chassis
Implementation Method 2
A steering damper is mounted between the rotating handlebar or steering wheel of a vehicle and its fixed frame or chassis in order to damp shocks and violent movements that propagate from the front wheel(s) to the handlebar
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) is disclosed for in a vehicle adjusting the rotational damping of a steering device (2) such that the rotational damping varies depending on whether the rotational motion about a steering axis (SA) is caused by a force acting on the steering device (2) of the vehicle or a force acting on the part(s) (3) of the vehicle contacting the ground. The device comprises a steering damper (4) comprising a damping housing (4a) enclosing a main chamber which comprises hydraulic fluid and is partitioned into a first and a second damping chamber (C1, C2), for example by a delimiting part (11, 11') moveable in relation to the damping housing. The damping housing (4a) is fixed on an attaching part (5, 5') that couples together the part(s) (3) of the vehicle contacting the ground with the steering device (2). The present invention is characterized in that the flow of hydraulic fluid in the steering damper partly or wholly is adjusted by a main valve unit (HVU) that is coupled together with both the attaching part (5, 5') and the steering device (2). By means of this coupling the opening area (A1, A2) of the main valve unit is determined by a relative motion between the attaching part (5, 5') and the steering device (2) such that the flow of the hydraulic fluid in a direction from and to the respective damping chamber of the steering damper is controlled depending on the cause of the rotational movement. Furthermore, a steering device adapted to be arranged in a vehicle is disclosed.