US20150137476A1 - Steering and Suspension Systems - Google Patents
Steering and Suspension Systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150137476A1 US20150137476A1 US14/598,920 US201514598920A US2015137476A1 US 20150137476 A1 US20150137476 A1 US 20150137476A1 US 201514598920 A US201514598920 A US 201514598920A US 2015137476 A1 US2015137476 A1 US 2015137476A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coupled
- linkage
- control arm
- stem
- suspension
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
- B62K25/04—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork
- B62K25/06—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with telescopic fork, e.g. including auxiliary rocking arms
- B62K25/08—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with telescopic fork, e.g. including auxiliary rocking arms for front wheel
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K21/00—Steering devices
- B62K21/02—Front wheel forks or equivalent, e.g. single tine
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
- B62K25/04—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork
- B62K25/12—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with rocking arm pivoted on each fork leg
- B62K25/22—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with rocking arm pivoted on each fork leg with more than one arm on each fork leg
- B62K25/24—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with rocking arm pivoted on each fork leg with more than one arm on each fork leg for front wheel
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
- B62K25/04—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork
- B62K25/28—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with pivoted chain-stay
- B62K25/283—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with pivoted chain-stay for cycles without a pedal crank, e.g. motorcycles
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system includes a spring, a neck assembly, and a rod. The neck assembly has an outer shell housing a hollow stem having an upper end and a lower end. The stem is rotatable respect to outer shell. The upper end is coupled to an upper bracket having a control arm pivotally coupled thereto. The lower end is coupled to a lower bracket having a linkage pivotally connected thereto. The rod has a first end coupled to the spring and a second end coupled to the linkage. The rod extends through the hollow stem. The linkage is further coupled to a wheel assembly.
Description
- The invention relates generally to vehicle suspension systems, and more particularly to a multi-link suspension system.
- Vehicle suspensions, specifically motorcycle and bicycle suspensions, are used to absorb bumps, cracks, and roadway deformities to provide a rider with a smoother ride and allow the rider to maintain control of the vehicle. A girder fork or girder front end is a common front end suspension in motorcycles. A traditional girder fork has a pair of uprights that is connected to a front wheel axle on one end and two links on the other end. A spring, most commonly a coil spring, connects the lower link to an upper link having a set of handle bars mounted thereon. Leaf springs have also been used as the spring in front suspensions. The leaf spring is mounted to a bracket extending above the front wheel and connects the girder forks or leading or trailing links to the front wheel.
- In both of these suspensions, steering and suspension are coupled together, meaning when a rider rotates the handle bars to turn the front wheel and ultimately steer the bike, the spring mounted to the girder front end simultaneously moves with all of the components of the girder front end. In addition, the weight of the spring adds to the unsprung weight or weight not supported by the suspension of the bike. Generally, a greater amount of unsprung weight produces a poor ride quality and potential wheel control issues when accelerating or braking
- In one aspect, a vehicle suspension system may comprise a spring, a neck assembly, and a rod. The neck assembly has an outer shell housing a hollow stem having an upper end and a lower end with the stem being rotatable with respect to the outer shell. The upper end is coupled to an upper bracket having a control arm pivotally coupled thereto, and the lower end is coupled to a lower bracket having a linkage pivotally connected thereto. The rod has a first end coupled to the spring and a second end coupled to the linkage. The rod extends through the hollow stem. The linkage is further coupled to a wheel assembly.
- In one embodiment, the spring may be a leaf spring, and in another embodiment the spring may be a coil spring. An end piece may be coupled to the spring, wherein the first end of the rod couples to the end piece.
- In one embodiment, the wheel assembly may comprise two girder blades coupled to an axle having a wheel rotatably mounted therebetween. The girder blades may be reinforced fiberglass composite material and have an eccentric assembly coupled to the control arm and a middle point coupled to the linkage.
- In another embodiment a vehicle suspension system may further comprise a rear linkage having a first connection point, a second connection point, and a third connection point, a second rod having a top end and a bottom end, and a ride height adjust eccentric. The third connection point may be pivotally coupled to a rear wheel assembly. The top end of the second rod may be coupled to the leaf spring and the bottom end may be coupled to the first point. The ride height adjust eccentric may be connected to the second point by a ride height arm.
- In another embodiment, a vehicle suspension system may further comprise an axle having a first end, a second end, and a body portion therebetween, a second neck assembly having a hollow stem and second linkage, and a second rod having a first and a second end. The neck assembly may be coupled to the first end and the second neck assembly may couple to the second end, and a mount may connect the leaf spring to the body portion. The second rod may extend through the hollow stem of the second neck assembly. The first end of the second rod may couple to the leaf spring and the second end of said second rod may couple to the second linkage.
- In another embodiment, the suspension system may further include a damper mounted on the neck assembly, with the damper connecting to the spring.
- In another aspect, an apparatus for a suspension system may include a hollow shell, a hollow stem having an upper end and a lower end, an upper control arm having a first end and a second end, and a linkage having a lower control arm and a flange. The shell houses the stem and the upper end may be coupled to an upper bracket. The lower end may be coupled to a lower bracket. The stem, the upper bracket, and the lower bracket are rotatable with respect to the shell. The first end may be pivotally connected to the upper bracket and the second end may be pivotally connected to a first front fork member and a second front fork member. The linkage may be pivotally connected to the lower bracket, the lower control arm may be pivotally connected to the first front fork member and the second front fork member, and the flange may be coupled to a rod that that extends through the hollow stem and couples to a member.
- In another embodiment, the upper control arm may comprise two upper linkages with one upper linkage being pivotally attached on each side of the upper bracket. The upper bracket may be configured for attaching a pair of handlebars. The suspension system may include a taper roller bearing between the shell and the stem.
- In another aspect, an apparatus for determining and setting a trail value of a two-wheeled vehicle may comprise a measuring surface, two carriers slidably mounted to the measuring surface, two modified hubs with one hub coupled to each of the carriers, and a laser pointer carrier having a laser pointer mounted therein. The two-wheeled vehicle has a hollow neck and is mounted to the modified hubs. The laser pointer carrier is affixed in the hollow neck with the laser directed towards the measuring surface.
- In another embodiment, an apparatus for determining and setting a trail value of a two-wheeled vehicle may further comprise a lift for simulating suspension travel.
- These and other features and advantages are evident from the following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a suspension system having a front and rear suspension, showing the suspension in an initial position and having one front and one rear girder blade removed; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the suspension system showing a force on the front suspension and having one front and one rear girder blade removed; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steering neck with incorporated suspension components; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from a bottom perspective of the steering neck with incorporated suspension components; -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the steering neck with incorporated suspension components along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the steering neck with incorporated suspension components along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 3 showing an alternate embodiment of the steering neck; -
FIG. 7 is a front view of an eccentric assembly of the suspension adjustment system; -
FIG. 8 is a side view of the eccentric assembly of the suspension adjustment system; -
FIG. 9 is front view of an alternate embodiment of the suspension system for use in an automobile or other four-wheeled vehicle; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the suspension system along lines 10-10 ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the trail value calculator tool showing the suspension system displaced at a first position; -
FIG. 12 is a side view of the trail value calculator tool showing the suspension system displaced at a first position; and -
FIG. 13 is a graph of the trail value curve for one embodiment of the suspension system. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-2 , an embodiment of amotorcycle suspension system 10 may comprise afront suspension 50 and arear suspension 300.Front suspension 50 includesspring 60,neck assembly 100,front linkage 150,front suspension rod 160, and twofront girder blades 170.Rear suspension 300 includesspring 60,rear linkage 350,rear suspension rod 360, and tworear girder blades 370. While shown as a suspension system for a motorcycle, it is also contemplated thatfront suspension 50 andrear suspension 300 be used in a bicycle. One of thefront girder blades 170 and one of therear girder blades 370 are removed to enable viewing of all components of front and rear suspensions. - In general,
front suspension 50 hasspring 60 mounted tochassis 70 and connected tofront linkage 150 ofneck assembly 100 byfront suspension rod 160 extending through a hollow steering stem 106 ofneck assembly 100 and having afirst end 162 coupled tospring 60 andsecond end 164 coupled tofront linkage 150.Neck assembly 100 is mounted tochassis 70 and has hollow steering stem 106 that decouples steering and suspension.Spring 60 is statically mounted on thechassis 70 and remains stationary ashandlebars 90, steeringstem 106, andfront girder blades 170 are rotated. Twofront girder blades 170 are connected toneck assembly 100 by anupper control arm 116 and alower control arm 118 ateccentric point 176 andmiddle point 178, respectively, with onegirder blade 170 being connected on each side ofneck assembly 100.Eccentric point 176 is in front girdereccentric assembly 172 that is located inupper portion 174 offront girder blades 170.Front girder blades 170 further couple to afront wheel axle 180 having awheel 182 rotatably mounted thereon betweenfront girder blades 170. - The
girder blades 170 are the front forks of the motorcycle and are connected tochassis 70 byneck assembly 100.Front girder blades 170 extend downward towardsfront wheel 182 at an angle from front girdereccentric assembly 172 throughmiddle point 178 to the connection with thefront wheel axle 180. Eachgirder blade rear suspensions girder blades girder blades -
Rear suspension 300 hasspring 60 mounted tochassis 70 and connected torear linkage 350 byrear suspension rod 360 having afirst end 362 coupled tospring 60 and asecond end 364 coupled torear linkage 350 atfirst point 352.Ride height arm 368 further connects ride height adjustment eccentric 366 to asecond point 354 of rear linkage, and athird point 356 ofrear linkage 350 couples tomiddle point 374 on tworear girder blades 370 with onegirder blade 370 being on each side ofrear linkage 350.Rear girder blades 370 extend horizontally with respect to the ground coupling tochassis 70 ateccentric point 372 and to arear axle 376 having arear wheel 378 rotatably mounted thereon. Front andrear girder blades front suspension 50 and inrear suspension 300. - In one embodiment,
spring 60 is a spring member, i.e., a centrally located,single leaf spring 80 havingfront end 82 andrear end 84 that acts as thespring 60 for bothfront suspension 50 andrear suspension 300 of the motorcycle.Leaf spring 80 is preferably composed of reinforced fiberglass composite, however it is contemplated thatleaf spring 80 be composed of other suitable material, such as steel, titanium, carbon composite, and that theleaf spring 80 be made from multiple leaf springs. -
Leaf spring 80 is supported by aperch 86 that is connected tochassis 70. An eccentric seat mount 88couples seat 92 to perch 86.Perch 86 and mount 88 isolatesfront end 82 andrear end 84 of theleaf spring 80 and prevents vibrations and force exerted on one end from being transferred throughleaf spring 80 onto the opposite end. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1-2 and 5,end piece 94 is coupled to bothfront end 82 andrear end 84 ofleaf spring 80. Eachend piece 94 is substantially identical and provides a point for coupling theleaf spring 80 to front andrear suspension rods End piece 94 has a hollowrectangular body portion 96 that slides onto and secures to theleaf spring 80 by inserting fasteners into openings in thebody portion 96. It is also contemplated that end piece be secured by an adhesive. A hollowcylindrical portion 98 extends from thebody portion 96 away fromend 82 of theleaf spring 80. Thecylindrical portion 98 is configured to receivefirst end 162 offront suspension rod 160 having aspherical bearing 166 fastened thereto, preventingfirst end 162 offront suspension rod 160 from being pulled throughcylindrical opening 98, as shown inFIG. 5 .Front suspension rod 160 extends fromend piece 94 ofleaf spring 80 through hollow steering stem 106 ofneck assembly 100 and couples tofront linkage 150 of lower controlarm pivot bracket 114.Damper 78 may couple toouter shell 104 ofneck assembly 100 and further to endpiece 94. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3-5 ,neck assembly 100 may includeneck piece 102, upper controlarm pivot bracket 112, and lower controlarm pivot bracket 114.Neck piece 102 includesouter shell 104 housinghollow steering stem 106. Hollow steering stem 106 is a generally a cylindrical member having threadedfirst end 108 andsecond end 110. Threadedfirst end 108 of steering stem 106 couples to upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 and the threadedsecond end 110 couples to lower controlarm pivot bracket 114.Outer shell 104 is a hollow cylindrical shell having a diameter larger than thesteering stem 106 and encases thesteering stem 106.Steering stem 106, upper controlarm pivot bracket 112, and lower controlarm pivot bracket 114 are rotatable with respect toouter shell 104. - Upper control
arm pivot bracket 112 has a substantially flat top 122 with asemi-circular end 124 of a substantially similar diameter as theouter shell 104 and anotherend 126 that is generally rectangular shaped. Therectangular end 126 has alateral opening 128 extending through upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 configured to receive ashoulder bolt 130 on each end ofopening 128, and a plurality of openings that are substantially normal tolateral opening 128 and configured to receive fasteners.Semi-circular end 124 of upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 has cylindrical connectingpiece 132 with a diameter slightly smaller thanouter shell 104 extending beyondbottom surface 134 of the upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 and has a threaded opening configured to couple withfirst end 108 ofsteering stem 106.Exterior surface 136 of the connectingpiece 132 may have a groove configured to receive an O-ring. The O-ring provides a seal betweenouter shell 104 and steering stem 106 whenouter shell 104 is inserted over connectingpiece 132, preventing water or other contaminants from enteringouter shell 104. Abutting connectingpiece 132 is ataper roller bearing 138 located betweenouter shell 104 andsteering stem 106. Retainingwasher 140 andtop nut 142 located on top offlat top 122 and fastened to threadedfirst end 108 of steering stem 106 secure upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 tosteering stem 106. -
Handlebars 90 are secured torectangular end 126 of upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 byriser 144 that is coupled to upper controlarm pivot bracket 112.Riser 144 is generally block shaped having a plurality ofopenings 146 to receive fasteners and alarger opening 148 extending laterally throughriser 144 configured to receive the handlebars 90. Plurality ofopenings 146 inriser 144 are located alongriser 144 at substantially identical locations as plurality of openings on the upper controlarm pivot bracket 112. - Referring again to
FIG. 3 ,upper control arm 116 pivotally couples to upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 and includes twoupper linkages 152 with oneupper linkage 152 located on each side ofrectangular end 126 of the upper controlarm pivot bracket 112.Upper linkages 152 are generally parallel and extend outward in a direction away fromouter shell 104 fromfirst end 154 coupled to upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 tosecond end 156. Eachupper linkage 152 includes twoupper link plates 158 separated by acenter spacer 168 on afirst end 154 and asecond end 156.Upper link plates 158 are elongated members having semi-circular ends. Each end has a circular opening.Center spacer 168 is washer having an opening substantially identical to the openings on eachupper link plate 158. - On the
first end 154 of eachupper linkage 152, a hollow cylindricalupper bearing carrier 184 having a threaded outer surface is inserted into the openings ofupper link plates 158 andcenter spacer 168. Two bearings separated by a spacer are located inside theupper bearing carrier 184. The bearings and the spacer contain an opening configured to receive ashoulder bolt 130.Upper link plates 158 are secured together by fastening asuspension nut 186 having a washer-like shape and a threaded opening to each threaded end of theupper bearing carrier 184. Ashoulder bolt 130 inserted through the openings in the bearings and spacer and intolateral opening 128 of upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 pivotally couplesfirst end 154 of eachupper linkage 152 to upper controlarm pivot bracket 112. - Continuing with
FIG. 3 , onsecond end 156 of eachupper linkage 152, a generallycylindrical spreader bar 188 having threaded ends connectssecond end 156 of eachlinkage 152 together. Each base ofcylindrical spreader bar 188 contains an opening 190 configured to receive anextended shoulder bolt 192. The threaded ends of thespreader bar 188 are inserted into and through the openings ofupper link plates 158 andcenter spacer 168. Twosuspension nuts 186 are fastened to each threaded end ofspreader bar 188, with onesuspension nut 186 being fastened on either side of eachupper linkage 152. Anextended shoulder bolt 192 inserted through the openings onupper link plates 158 andcenter spacer 168 and into opening 190 inspreader bar 192 couplesfront girder blade 170 to each side ofspreader bar 188. -
Shoulder bolt 130 has an elongated shaft extending from a head portion with the shaft having an unthreaded portion and a threaded end.Extended shoulder bolt 192 is generally the same asshoulder bolt 130 but has a longer unthreaded portion. The length of unthreaded portion ofextended shoulder bolt 192 is generally the same as the thickness ofgirder blades 170. - Referring again to
FIGS. 3-5 , lower controlarm pivot bracket 114 couples tosecond end 110 ofhollow steering stem 106 and has a generallyU-shaped bottom 194 with eachend 196 ofU-shape bottom 194 being semi-circular. Eachsemi-circular end 196 contains anopening 198 configured to receive ashoulder bolt 130. A substantially flat top 202 having a cylindrical connectingpiece 204 substantially similar to connectingpiece 132 of upper controlarm pivot bracket 112 covers one side ofU-shaped bottom 194.Interior surface 206 of connectingpiece 204 is threaded and couples with threadedsecond end 110 ofsteering stem 106. Ataper roller bearing 138 abuts connectingpiece 204 and is located betweenouter shell 104 andsteering stem 106.Outer shell 104 is inserted over connectingpiece 204 of the lower controlarm pivot bracket 114 and an O-ring positioned in a groove inexterior surface 208 of the connectingpiece 204 prevents water or other contaminants from entering into the outer shell. -
Front linkage 150 compriseslower control arm 118 andflange 210.Lower control arm 118 is pivotally connected to lower controlarm pivot bracket 114.Lower control arm 118 includes two lowerside link plates 212, twoshort link plates 218, and two lowercenter link plates 224. Lowerside link plate 212 is an elongated member having two circular ends with afirst end 214 being greater diameter in diameter than asecond end 216.First end 214 contains a circular opening having small tabs extending into the opening and spaced equidistance around the opening. The opening in thefirst end 214 is configured to receive abearing carrier 230.Second end 216 of lowerside link plate 212 contains a circular opening. -
Short link plate 218 is a member having two circular ends, with first end 220 being larger in diameter thansecond end 222. First end 220 contains an opening that is substantially identical to the opening infirst end 214 of lowerside link plate 212 andsecond end 222 contains an opening configured to receive a fastener. - Lower
center link plate 224 has the same basic structure and opening configuration as lowerside link plate 212 except lowercenter link plate 224 has aflange 210 extending fromfirst end 226 of lowercenter link plate 224 that is substantially identical tosecond end 222 ofshort link plate 218. -
Lower control arm 118 is pivotally coupled to lower controlarm pivot bracket 114 by inserting thefirst end 226 of two lowercenter link plates 224 separated by acenter linkage spacer 232 between semi-circular ends 196 of the lower controlarm pivot bracket 114.Center linkage spacer 232 has an opening that is substantially identical to the opening infirst end 226 of lowercenter link plates 224. Oneshort link plate 218 is inserted flush against each lowercenter link plate 224, on a side oppositecenter linkage spacer 232. Aside linkage spacer 234 followed by lowerside linkage plate 212 is then inserted betweenshort link plate 218 and semi-circular ends 196 respectively on each side.Side linkage spacer 134 has a thickness that is less than that ofcenter linkage spacer 232. All of the spacers have an opening that is substantially identical to the openings in the first end of thelink plates link plates spacers carrier 230. Twoshoulder bolts 130 are inserted through the openings of the circular ends 196 of theU-shaped bottom 194 and into the washer bearing pivotally couplinglower control arm 118 to lower controlarm pivot bracket 114. - Second ends 216, 228 of lower
side link plates 212 and lowercenter link plates 224 extend outward from lower controlarm pivot bracket 114 and are coupled together bylower spreader bar 236 that is inserted through the openings in the second ends 216, 228 of lower side and lowercenter link plates Lower spreader bar 236 is a cylindrical shaft member having anopening 238 configured to receive anextended shoulder bolt 192 in each base, and two threaded sections, with each threaded section located slightly outside of the portion where each lowerside link plate 212 contactslower spreader bar 236. Lowercenter link plates 224 are separated bycenter spacer 168 and lowerside link plates 212 are separated from lowercenter link plates 224 by aside spacer 240, with bothcenter spacer 168 andside spacers 240 inserted onlower spreader bar 236.Side spacer 240 has a thickness that is less than the thickness ofcenter spacer 168. Asuspension nut 186 is inserted ontolower spreader bar 236 on each side oflower control arm 118 and secureslower control arm 118 tolower spreader bar 236. Anextended shoulder bolt 192 inserted throughfront girder blade 170 and intoopening 238 onlower spreader bar 236 couplesfront girder blade 170 atmiddle point 178 to each side oflower spreader bar 236. -
Flange 210 of lowercenter link plates 224 andshort link plates 218 extend fromshoulder bolt 130 securingfirst end 226 of lowercenter link plates 224 intocavity 242 formed byU-shaped bottom 194 of lower controlarm pivot bracket 114. The openings inflange 210 of lowercenter link plates 224 andsecond end 222 ofshort link plates 218 are aligned and a fastener inserted through each opening and an opening ofspherical rod end 244 inserted between lowercenter link plates 224 secureslink plates 224 androd end 244 together. Spherical rod end 244 couples tosecond end 164 offront suspension rod 160 that extends throughhollow steering stem 106,first end 162 offront suspension rod 160 coupling to endpiece 94 ofleaf spring 80.Spherical bearing 166 is used to couplefirst end 162 offront suspension rod 160 to endpiece 94. -
Neck assembly 100 components are preferably made from titanium, however, it is also contemplated that the components be made from any other strong durable materials. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1-5 ,front linkage 150 compriseslower control arm 118 coupled tofront girder blades 170 andflange 210 coupled tofront suspension rod 160. As shown inFIG. 2 , iffront girder blades 170 are forced upward with respect to theneck assembly 100,front linkage 150 will pivot about the connection point with theU-shaped bottom 194 pullingfront suspension rod 160 downward towardsfront wheel 182, exerting force onleaf spring 80.Leaf spring 80 deflects from itsinitial position 246 to asecondary position 248, absorbing and dissipating force and then returning to itsoriginal position 246.Damper 78 connected to endpiece 94 dissipates kinetic energy and dampens oscillations of the spring caused by force exerted on theleaf spring 80. -
Front suspension rod 160 is concentric with the steering axis allowingleaf spring 80 to connect tofront linkage 150 and act as a suspension system, while not requiringleaf spring 80 to be mounted adjacent tofront girder blades 170. This configuration decouples the steering and the suspension of the motorcycle and allows the suspension to mount static with respect to any rotation fromhandlebars 90 andfront girder blades 170. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1-2 ,rear suspension 300 may compriseleaf spring 80 having anend piece 94 connected tofirst point 352 onrear linkage 350 byrear suspension rod 360.Rear linkage 350 is pivotally connected atsecond point 354 to ride height adjust eccentric 366 byride height arm 368 andthird point 356 ofrear linkage 350 is pivotally coupled between tworear girder blades 370 atmiddle point 374 onrear girder blades 370 by a shaft member extending from one girder blade to the other.Rear girder blades 370 further couple tochassis 70 ateccentric point 372 and torear wheel axle 376 having a wheel rotatably mounted thereon 378. -
Rear suspension 300 functions very similar tofront suspension 50 described above. Whenrear wheel 378 andrear girder blades 370 are forced upward with respect to the ground,third point 356 ofrear linkage 350 moves upward because it is coupled torear girder blades 370.Rear linkage 350 pivots aboutthird point 356 and first andsecond points rear linkage 350 move downward, pullingleaf spring 80 downward.Leaf spring 80 dissipates the force and the assembly returns to its neutral position. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , an embodiment of front suspension system is shown including acoil spring 480 as the spring 460 in front suspension. The suspension system functions the same as the leaf spring suspension described inFIGS. 1-5 .Coil spring 480 is connected to member orend piece 494. As described above,suspension rod 482 couples to endpiece 494 atfirst end 484, extends throughneck piece 488 and couples tofront linkage 490 incavity 492 of lower controlarm pivot bracket 474, connectingcoil spring 480 tofront linkage 490. Upper andlower control arms front girder blades 470.Damper 478 may be used in conjunction withcoil spring 480 to dampen oscillations and dissipate kinetic energy ofcoil spring 480. When a force movesfront girder blades 470 upward with respect toneck piece 488,front suspension rod 482 pulls down onend piece 494 andcoil spring 480 compresses dissipating force. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7-8 , aneccentric assembly 500 may comprisehousing 502,puck 504, andworm gear 506.Housing 502 contains anopening 508 configured to receivepuck 504.Puck 504 may includeinner half 510 andouter half 512 having a spur gear located therebetween. In one embodiment,puck 504 includesopening 514 having asuspension needle bearing 516 located therein.Suspension needle bearing 516 is washer-shaped having an opening configured to receive a shaft member. In other embodiments, it is contemplated thatpuck 504 have a plurality of openings.Worm gear 506 mates with spur gear inwindow 518 and has anend 520 having an allenkey indentation 526 that extends intoside 522 ofhousing 502 and is accessible throughside opening 524. Using an allen key or allen wrench to rotateworm gear 506 adjusts the location of puck opening 514 from afirst position 528 to asecond position 530 with respect tohousing 502. -
Eccentric assemblies 500 are located in various components and at various locations of themotorcycle suspension 10 including in each of the fourgirder blades seat mount 88, in ride height adjust eccentric 366, and on the headlight mount (not shown). As shown inFIGS. 1-2 ,upper portion 174 offront girder blades 170 contains front girdereccentric assembly 172 that couplesfront girder blades 170 toupper control arm 116. Adjusting the location of opening of puck changes the angle thatfront girder blades 170 extend tofront wheel axle 180, changing the trail of the motorcycle.Eccentric assemblies 500 onrear girder blades 370 are located at substantially identical positions as onfront girder blades 170. A shaft member extends between rear girder bladeeccentric assembly 380 of eachrear girder blade 370 and connectsrear girder blades 370 tochassis 70. Adjusting the location of opening in puck adjusts the position ofrear wheel axle 376 in the horizontal direction allowing the chain tension of the motorcycle to be adjusted. Over time, the chain of motorcycle stretches. Rear girder bladeeccentric assembly 380 can be adjusted to ensure the same chain tension with a stretched chain as when the chain was new. Adjustingeccentric assembly 380 onrear girder blades 370 enables the same chain to be used for a longer period of time even if the chain experiences stretching due to repeated use. - Ride height adjustment eccentric 366 is part of
chassis 70 and is connected torear linkage 350 byride height arm 368. Adjusting the location of opening on ride height adjustment eccentric 366 raises or lowers the distance betweenrear linkage 350 andleaf spring 80, with a corresponding increase or decrease of tension on the spring, thereby changing the ride height of the motorcycle. - Seat mount eccentric 88 couples to perch 86 and has
seat 92 coupled to puck. Adjusting the location of opening of puck changes the height and angle ofseat 92 and the horizontal distance betweenhandlebars 90 andseat 92. Seat mount eccentric 88 allows for easy adjustment ofseat 92 for different riders.Eccentric assembly 500 can also be used in a headlight mount to adjust the height and angle that a headlight projects. - Referring now to
FIGS. 9-10 , an embodiment of a suspension system 600 is shown for use in an automobile or other four-wheeled vehicle comprisesspring 610, twoneck assemblies 620, andaxle 650. In one embodiment,spring 610 may be a spring member, i.e., aleaf spring 612 having twoends 614 and being mounted tobody portion 652 ofaxle 650 bymount 660. Aneck assembly 620 is mounted to eachend 654 ofaxle 650 in a substantially identical orientation on each end.Leaf spring 612 may have anend piece 616 on eachend 614 that is connected tolinkage 630 of lower controlarm pivot bracket 624 ofneck assembly 620 bysuspension rod 640.End piece 616 may further connect todamper 670 mounted onaxle 650.Suspension rod 640 extends fromend piece 616 onleaf spring 612 throughneck piece 622 and couples tolinkage 630 in the same way as previously described for the front suspension.Upper control arm 626 andlower control arm 628 pivotally couple toneck assembly 620 on afirst end second end 634, 638 of eachcontrol arm arm neck assembly 620 is fully adjustable. The camber angle of the wheels can be changed by adjusting the angles that upper andlower control arm - Castor angle can be adjusted by tilting
axle 650 from position one 662 whereneck assemblies 620 at eachend 654 ofaxle 650 are substantially normal with respect to the ground, to position two 664 whereneck assemblies 620 are orientated at an angle other than the vertical angle of position one 662.Clamps 666 are used to tiltaxle 650 and adjust the castor angle. In this assembly, clampingaxle 650 to adjust the castor angle ensures a substantially equal castor angle for each wheel becauseneck assemblies 620 are mounted toaxle 650 at a substantially identical orientation. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to adjust the castor angle for each wheel independently, because clampingaxle 650 in a desired orientation changes the castor angle for both wheel assemblies concurrently. - Referring now to
FIGS. 11-12 , a trailvalue calculator tool 700 comprises measuringsurface 702,carriers 704,laser pointer 706,laser pointer carrier 708, and modified hubs andwheels 710. In one embodiment, measuringsurface 702 is on atop surface 712 of a steel I-beam 714.Carriers 704 having modifiedhubs 710 bolted thereto are slidably mounted to I-beam 714. Modified hub andwheel 710 forfront wheel 722 has slit 716 cut in it, such that the measuringsurface 702 can be seen through modifiedhub 710 when looking at measuringsurface 702 fromabove hub 710. - To plot trail value curve for the front suspension, as shown in
FIG. 13 , the front and rear wheels of a motorcycle are removed andmotorcycle 718 is mounted to modified hubs andwheels 710 oncarriers 704.Modified hubs 710position chassis 720 at the exact height D1 that it would be with the normal wheels ofmotorcycle 718 properly inflated, accounting for the weight ofmotorcycle 718. The rear carrier is fixed to the I-beam 714 whilefront wheel 722 is allowed to slide along the length of thebeam 714.Laser pointer 706 is inserted intolaser pointer carrier 708 affixed inneck assembly 724 positioning thelaser pointer 706 concentric with hollow steering stem 726 ofneck assembly 724. The trail ofmotorcycle 718 is first calculated formotorcycle 718 in static position with nochassis 720 displacement D1 by taking the difference between the point wherelaser pointer 706hits measuring surface 702 and the point where modifiedhub 710 rests on measuringsurface 702. Next,lift 728 is used to displacechassis 720 to a second position D2, and a new trail value is calculated. This process is completed multiple times each for a different amount of simulated suspension travel until enough data is collected to plot trail value curve. - Trail value curve for a multi-link suspension shows the different trail values for one embodiment of a motorcycle that is braking Braking or front end dive is simulated by displacing the
chassis 720 ofmotorcycle 718. Asmotorcycle 718 begins to compress the front suspension andchassis 720 is displaced by a small amount, the trail initially decreases at a rapid, generally linear rate with respect to the amount of chassis displacement, as shown inFIG. 13 . Asmotorcycle 718 continues to compress the front suspension andchassis 720 is displaced by a larger amount, the trail value begins to level off and does not decrease at the same linear relationship with respect to the amount chassis displacement. The leveling off of the trail is desirable because having a trail that is close to zero or negative may cause instability issues and wheel oscillation. - Trail
value calculator tool 700 may be used to calculate the trail value for any motorcycle under any suspension or chassis conditions, including motorcycles with suspensions other than the multi-link suspension shown inFIGS. 11-12 . It can be used when building motorcycles to calculate the trail of the motorcycle under simulated conditions before the motorcycle is ridden. Adjustments to the suspension including the length and dimensions of suspension links and the position of components can be made, and the trail value calculated before the motorcycle design is finalized. This may prevent the need for significant redesign of a motorcycle after an initial prototype has been built, because a user can calculate the trail value under different suspension and chassis conditions before ever riding the motorcycle. - While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiment and method herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment and method, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
Claims (18)
1-19. (canceled)
20. An apparatus for a suspension system, comprising:
a hollow shell;
a hollow stem having a lower end, where the shell houses the stem and the lower end is coupled to a lower bracket, where the stem and the lower bracket are rotatable with respect to the shell; and
a linkage having a flange, the linkage pivotally connected to the lower bracket, the flange coupled to a first member that extends through said hollow stem, and the first member coupled to a second member.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 where the first member comprises a rod.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 where the first member is substantially concentric with an axis of rotation of the hollow stem.
23. The apparatus of claim 20 where the second member is a leaf spring.
24. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising third member coupled to the second member and the hollow shell.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 where the third member comprises a damper.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 where the third member comprises a coil spring.
27. The apparatus of claim 20 where the stem further comprises an upper end coupled to an upper bracket, where the upper bracket is rotatable with respect to the shell.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising an upper control arm having a first end pivotally connected to the upper bracket.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 where the upper control arm further includes a second end pivotally connected to a first front fork member and a second front fork member.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 where said upper control arm comprises two upper linkages with one upper linkage being pivotally attached on each side of said upper bracket.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 , where the linkage further comprises a lower control arm having a second end pivotally connected to the first front fork member and the second front fork member.
32. The apparatus of claim 27 where said upper bracket is configured for attaching a pair of handlebars.
33. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising a taper roller bearing between said shell and said stem.
34. An apparatus for a suspension system, comprising:
a hollow shell;
a hollow stem having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the shell houses the stem and the upper end is coupled to an upper bracket and the lower end is coupled to a lower bracket, wherein the stem, the upper bracket, and the lower bracket are rotatable with respect to the shell;
an upper control arm having a first end pivotally connected to the upper bracket and a second end pivotally connected to a first front fork member and a second front fork member;
a linkage having a lower control arm and a flange, the linkage pivotally connected to the lower bracket, the lower control arm pivotally connected to the first front fork member and the second front fork member, the flange coupled to a rod that extends through the hollow stem, the rod coupled to a leaf spring, the rod substantially concentric with an axis of rotation of the hollow stem;
a taper roller bearing between said shell and said stem; and
a member coupled to the leaf spring and the shell.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 where the member is a damper.
36. The apparatus of claim 34 where the member is a coil spring.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/598,920 US20150137476A1 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2015-01-16 | Steering and Suspension Systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/915,736 US8939458B2 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-06-12 | Suspension system |
PCT/US2014/041697 WO2014200992A2 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2014-06-10 | Suspension system |
USPCT/US2014/041697 | 2014-06-10 | ||
US14/598,920 US20150137476A1 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2015-01-16 | Steering and Suspension Systems |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/915,736 Continuation US8939458B2 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-06-12 | Suspension system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20150137476A1 true US20150137476A1 (en) | 2015-05-21 |
Family
ID=52018579
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/915,736 Expired - Fee Related US8939458B2 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-06-12 | Suspension system |
US14/598,920 Abandoned US20150137476A1 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2015-01-16 | Steering and Suspension Systems |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/915,736 Expired - Fee Related US8939458B2 (en) | 2013-06-12 | 2013-06-12 | Suspension system |
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US (2) | US8939458B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014200992A2 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8939458B2 (en) | 2015-01-27 |
WO2014200992A3 (en) | 2015-02-05 |
US20140367942A1 (en) | 2014-12-18 |
WO2014200992A2 (en) | 2014-12-18 |
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Owner name: AMERICAN DESIGN AND MASTER-CRAFT INITIATIVE, LLC, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NESBITT, JAMES THOMAS, III;REEL/FRAME:034738/0381 Effective date: 20130607 |
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