Vehicle Suspension Idler Mechanism for Dynamic Chain Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle suspension systems face limitations in designing desired acceleration and braking responses without compromising other design variables, such as driven wheel path or vehicle geometry, and often struggle to achieve specific dynamic behaviors across the entire range of suspension travel.
Innovation Solution
A driven wheel suspension system with a rotatably mounted idler member on an idler carrier member, part of a linkage, crank and slider, or geared mechanism, allowing for a single-pivot or multi-link arrangement, which alters the path of the power transmission element to manipulate anti-squat and anti-rise characteristics independently of existing structural geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a suspension system is designed to achieve desired acceleration and braking responses, then the dynamic behavior under power transmission is improved, but other design variables such as driven wheel path and vehicle geometry are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into separate functional components: a driven wheel carrier member for supporting the wheel, an idler member for chain engagement, and an idler carrier member for positioning the idler. This segmentation allows independent optimization of acceleration response characteristics without compromising the overall vehicle geometry and driven wheel path.
Solution Approach 2:
An idler member is introduced as an intermediary element between the power transmission chain and the driven wheel carrier. This idler member, mounted on a movable idler carrier, acts as a mediator that allows the chain path to be altered independently, enabling desired acceleration and braking responses without affecting the fundamental vehicle geometry and wheel path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the path of the power transmission element is altered to manipulate anti-squat and anti-rise characteristics, then the acceleration and braking responses are improved, but the complexity of the suspension system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The idler carrier member is designed to move dynamically during suspension travel, automatically adjusting the idler member's position to follow a predetermined path. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve desired anti-squat and anti-rise characteristics throughout the entire range of suspension travel without requiring complex static geometric arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The idler carrier member serves multiple functions: it positions the idler member to control chain path, it moves dynamically to maintain proper chain tension, and it adjusts the power transmission geometry to achieve desired acceleration and braking responses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a
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AI summary
A driven wheel suspension system for a vehicle (100) having a chassis (12) suspended from a driven wheel (10) is disclosed. The suspension system includes a suspension mechanism including a driven wheel carrier member (11) rotatably connected to the driven wheel (10). The suspension mechanism is configured to isolate the movement of the driven wheel 10 from the movement of the chassis (12). The driven wheel (10) is movable a distance relative to the chassis (12) which defines a suspension travel. The driven wheel suspension system further includes a drive train including a looped power transmission element configured to transmit power between the driven wheel (10) and a power source mounted on the chassis (12). An idler member (31) is rotatably mounted on an idler carrier member (20) that is movable relative to both the chassis (12) and driven wheel earner member (11). The idler member (31) is configured to engage with a power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element and move to follow a predetermined path as a function of suspension travel, to thereby alter a path of said power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. Altering the path of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element results in a lengthening or shortening of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. The driven wheel suspension system of the present invention has many applications, including but not limited to a rear wheel suspension system for a bicycle.