Suspension Apparatus with Segmented Air Spring Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suspension systems, such as those described in Patent Document 1, face difficulties in securing sufficient capacity for the rebound air spring chamber, leading to excessive compression ratios and instability in reaction forces near maximum extension, affecting operational stability.
Innovation Solution
A suspension apparatus with a tubular vehicle-body side member and wheel side member, featuring a tubular cylinder and rod member, where sectioning members create sealed fluid-filled chambers that do not communicate with each other, allowing for adjustable capacities and gas pressures to manage compression ratios and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rebound air spring chamber is constructed by a limited section between the rod guide and the guide of the guide rod, then the structure is simple, but the capacity of the rebound air spring chamber is insufficient and the compression ratio increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension apparatus divides the air spring system into multiple independent chambers: a rebound air spring chamber and a compression air spring chamber, each with dedicated sectioning members. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the rebound air spring chamber capacity by utilizing the axial dimension through a second sectioning member that creates additional volume. Instead of expanding radially, the design adds capacity along the axial direction by sectioning the wheel side member, effectively increasing chamber volume without increasing lateral dimensions.
2Length of stationary object
If the rebound air spring chamber capacity is limited, then the structure remains compact, but the compression ratio increases excessively and reaction force stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the rebound and compression functions into distinct chambers with independent sectioning members, each chamber can be optimized for its specific stroke range. The rebound chamber handles extension movements while the compression chamber handles compression movements, ensuring stable reaction forces throughout the full range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables independent adjustment of capacity and gas pressure parameters for each chamber through the sectioning members and injection ports. This allows optimization of compression ratios and reaction force characteristics without changing the overall suspension geometry or external dimensions.
3Device complexity
If the chambers are designed with fixed capacities, then the structure is simple, but the ability to adjust compression ratios and optimize performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sectioning members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of chamber capacities. The first sectioning member moves axially within the cylinder while the second sectioning member moves within the wheel side member, enabling real-time optimization of compression ratios during suspension operation or maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection ports enable easy filling and adjustment of gas pressure within the chambers without requiring complex external equipment or disassembly. The system is designed to be self-maintainable with simple service operations for adjusting capacity and pressure parameters.
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 solution secures a larger capacity for the rebound air spring chamber, suppresses excessive compression ratios, and enhances operational stability by allowing for easy adjustment of chamber capacities and gas pressures, thereby improving reaction force stability.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first to third chambers includes a filler gas inside in a sealed stated so as to function as an air spring
Implementation Method 2
a first sectioning member fixed to an end portion of a wheel side of the rod member and provided in a manner of contacting the cylinder so as to move in the axial direction of the cylinder to thereby section a space in the cylinder and a second sectioning member fixed to an end portion of a vehicle-body side of the cylinder and sectioning a space in the wheel side member
Data Source
AI summary
A first front fork includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a tubular cylinder provided inside the outer tube and the inner tube, a rod member moving relatively in an axial direction of the cylinder and having a space portion inside, which is formed in the axial direction, a piston fixed to an end portion of a wheel side of the rod member and sectioning a space in the cylinder into part of a rebound air spring chamber and an inner air spring chamber and a rod guide fixed to an end portion of a vehicle-body side of the cylinder and sectioning a space in the inner tube into part of the rebound air spring chamber and an outer air spring chamber.