Vehicle Height Adjustment Device Using Spring Reaction Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjustment devices struggle to quickly lower the vehicle height when stopped, which hinders foot reaching performance, especially in applications like bicycle rear suspensions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle height adjustment device featuring a fluid-pressure driving unit with a first and second channel, a pump, and a valve system that allows the jack channel to communicate with the jack chamber, enabling quick vehicle height adjustment by utilizing the pressure of the second channel to open the valve and release fluid from the jack chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a motor-driven piston is used to supply/discharge operating fluid, then the vehicle height can be adjusted, but the vehicle height cannot be lowered quickly when the vehicle is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the suspension spring's own reaction force to drive the piston and discharge operating fluid from the jack chamber, enabling the system to lower the vehicle height automatically without requiring external power input. The suspension spring serves dual purposes: supporting the vehicle body and providing the force for quick height lowering.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by using operating fluid pressure to control the piston movement and vehicle height adjustment. The fluid pressure from the suspension spring acts on the piston to quickly discharge fluid from the jack chamber, enabling rapid height lowering.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pump is not driven, then energy consumption is reduced, but the operating fluid cannot be discharged from the jack chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the suspension spring's own reaction force to drive the piston and discharge operating fluid from the jack chamber, enabling the system to lower the vehicle height automatically without requiring external power input. The suspension spring serves dual purposes: supporting the vehicle body and providing the force for quick height lowering.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by using operating fluid pressure to control the piston movement and vehicle height adjustment. The fluid pressure from the suspension spring acts on the piston to quickly discharge fluid from the jack chamber, enabling rapid height lowering.
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
Enables rapid lowering of the vehicle height, enhancing foot reaching performance by using the reaction force of the suspension spring and the pressure of the second channel to open the valve and discharge fluid, even when the pump is not driven.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (8) urging the valve body (7) in a direction for shutting off the jack channel (6)
Implementation Method 2
a pilot line (9) having a pressure of the second channel (3) act on the valve body (7) so that the jack channel (6) is opened
Implementation Method 3
a fluid-pressure driving unit (U) supplying and discharging an operating fluid into and out of the jack chamber (1) and elevating up and down the spring receiver (S2)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle height adjustment device includes a jack chamber for supporting a spring receiver supporting a suspension spring's one-side end portion and a fluid-pressure driving unit for supplying/discharging an operating fluid into/out of the jack chamber and elevating up/down the spring receiver. The fluid-pressure driving unit includes a pump for selectively supplying the operating fluid to a first or second channel and a tank connected to the first or second channel not receiving an operating fluid's supply from the pump. The vehicle height adjustment device further includes a jack channel allowing the first channel and the jack chamber to communicate with each other, a valve body closing the jack channel, capable of opening/closing, a spring for urging the valve body in a direction for shutting off the jack channel, and a pilot line for having a second channel's pressure act on the valve body so the jack channel is opened.