DESC:ELECTRONIC PRELOAD ADJUSTER FOR SHOCK ABSORBER
Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to rear shock absorber, more particularly to remote preload adjustment for a mono shock or twin shock absorber of a two wheeled vehicle.
Background of the invention:
Motorcycle rear shock absorbers or suspension are designed and assembled such a way that the springs are always under compression, even when fully extended. Pre-load is used to maintain the rear ride height that is the initial position of the suspension with the weight of the motorcycle and rider acting on it.
The difference between the fully extended length of the suspension and the length compressed by the weight of the motorcycle and rider is called "total sag" or "race sag". Total sag is set to optimize the initial position of the suspension to avoid bottoming out or topping out under normal riding conditions. "Bottoming out" occurs when the suspension is compressed to the point where it mechanically cannot compress any more. Topping out occurs when the suspension extends fully and cannot mechanically extend any more. Increasing pre-load increases the initial force on the spring thereby reducing total sag. Decreasing pre-load decreases the initial force in the spring thereby increasing total sag. The sag is adjusted within the suitable range depending upon road conditions and riding style. Less sag improves turning ability but reduces overall stability while more sag improves overall stability but may reduce turning performance. Adjusting the sag within proper limits is the most important yet most overlooked thing because of the rider’s unawareness and complexity in preload adjustment feature.
In majority of the cases pre-adjustment of spring is made as a redundant feature due to the difficulty in operating the adjuster.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a quicker and user friendly preload adjuster for the mono shock or twin shock absorber of a vehicle, which overcomes the drawbacks of prior art.
Objects of the invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide user friendly and efficient device for preload adjustment of a mono shock or twin shock absorber of a two wheeled vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a closed loop hydraulic actuated and electronic control preload adjusting system for a two wheeler shock absorber.
Still another object of the present invention is to enable the vehicle user/rider to adjust the sag within suitable limits so as to increase the rider’s comfort.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic preload adjuster system for preload adjustments of a mono shock or twin shock absorber of a two wheeled vehicle. It is a closed loop hydraulic actuated and electronically controlled system fitted under the driver’s seat and integrated to the shock absorber assembly (100B).The system (100) for adjusting the piston (50) height is based on the driving conditions comprises a pressure reservoir unit (10), a directional valve unit (15) and a check valve unit (30). Actuating the solenoid valves of the directional valve unit (15), it allows the fluid from the pressure reservoir unit (10) to flow to the lower part (40B) or to the upper part (40A) of the housing (40) through the check valve unit (30) thereby pushing the piston (50) in a direction, to compress or extend the shock absorber suspension spring (55) and deactivating the respective solenoid valve to lock the piston (50) and the spring (55) in compressed or extended position.

Brief description of the drawings:
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1shows a perspective view of an electronic preload adjuster system (100) for vehicle shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments:
The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.
In one aspect, the present invention provides an Electronic preload adjuster system for a shock absorber. It is a closed loop hydraulic actuated and electronically controlled system for preload adjustments of a mono shock or twin shock absorber of a two wheeled vehicle. When solenoid valves of the system are actuated depending upon the driving conditions, the flow from pressure reservoirs moves the piston up or down. Shock absorber suspension spring is pressurized or depressurized depending upon the piston movement adjusting the preload of the shock absorber.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein numbers indicated in the bracket represent the components of the invention throughout the description.
Referring to Figure 1, an Electronic preload adjuster system (100) (hereinafter “system (100)”) for vehicle shock absorber is shown. System (100) comprises of a shock absorber (100B) having a piston (50) slidably fitted in a piston housing (40) and integrated with a shock absorber suspension spring (55). The piston (50) divides the housing into upper part (40A) and lower part (40B), for adjusting the piston (50) height based on the driving conditions. The piston housing (40) is a threaded or a welded or an integral structure to the shock absorber tube.
The system (100) for adjusting the piston (50) height is based on the driving conditions comprises a pressure reservoir unit (10); a directional valve unit (15) and a check valve unit (30) are integrated on a manifold and sits beneath the seat. The pressure reservoir unit (10) which includes a reservoir 1 (10H) is a high pressure reservoir and a reservoir 2(10L) which is a low pressure reservoir are fluidically connected to the directional valve unit (15). The low pressure & high pressure reservoir are interchangeable based on the operation whether the adjuster is moving up or down. Reservoir 1 (10H) & reservoir 2 (10L) can be an integral unit or stand-alone unit respectively. The directional valve unit (15) includes a first solenoid valve (20) and a second solenoid valve (25), which is fluidically connected to the check valve unit (30). The directional valve assembly (15), is a single valve or a combination of valves. The check valve unit (30) comprising a first check valve (30A) and a second check valve (30B); where the first check valve (30A) is fluidically connected to the lower part (40B) of the piston housing (40) and the second check valve (30B) fluidically connected to the upper part (40A) of the piston housing (40);
When, actuating the first solenoid valve (20) it allows the fluid from the reservoir 1(10H) to flow to the lower part (40B) of the piston housing (40) through the first check valve (30A) thereby pushing the piston (50) in upward direction, compressing the shock absorber suspension spring (55) and deactivating the first solenoid valve (20) to lock the piston (50) and the spring (55) in compressed position. When actuating the second solenoid valve (20) it allows the fluid from the reservoir 1 (10H) to flow to the upper part (40A) of the piston housing (40) through the second check valve (30B) thereby pushing the piston (50) in downward direction, extending the shock absorber suspension spring (55) and deactivating the second solenoid valve (25) to lock the piston (50) and the spring (55) in extended position. Thus, adjusting the piston (50) height based on the driving conditions which in turn adjust the preload on the spring (55).
The electronic preload adjuster system (100) integrated to the shock absorber (100B) is fitted under the driver’s seat of the two wheeled vehicle.
In an embodiment, the electronic preload adjuster system (100) is integrated to an android app for a better interface.
Advantages of the invention:
• The system (100) provides a quicker preload adjustment based on the demand i.e. driving conditions
• The system (100) provides a better ride comfort.
• The system (100) allows the rider to easily adjust the suspension preload.
• The system (100) does not require additional tool for suspension preload adjustment.
• The system (100) is user friendly and is less time consuming option.
• The preload adjuster unit can be an additional selling feature.
• The system (100) can be integrated to an android app.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:Claims:
We claim,
1. An electronic preload adjuster system (100), for a vehicle shock absorber (100B) having a piston (50) slidably fitted in a piston housing (40) and integrated with a shock absorber suspension spring (55), piston (50) dividing the housing into upper part (40A) and lower part (40B), the electronic preload adjuster system (100) for adjusting the piston height based on the driving conditions comprising:
a pressure reservoir unit (10) including a high pressure reservoir 1 (10H) and a low pressure reservoir 2 (10L);
a directional valve unit (15) fluidically connected to the pressure reservoir unit (10), the directional valve unit (15) including a first solenoid valve (20) and a second solenoid valve (25); and
a check valve unit (30) fluidically connected to directional valve unit (15), the check valve unit (30) comprising a first check valve (30A) and a second check valve (30B); the first check valve (30A) fluidically connected to the lower part (40B) of the piston housing (40) and the second check valve (30B) fluidically connected to the upper part (40A) of the piston housing (40);
wherein, actuating the first solenoid valve (20) allows the fluid from the high pressure reservoir 1 (10H) to flow to the lower part (40B) of the piston housing (40) through the first check valve (30A) thereby pushing the piston (50) in upward direction, compressing the shock absorber suspension spring (55) and deactivating the first solenoid valve (20) to lock the piston (50) and the spring (55) in compressed position, and
actuating the second solenoid valve (20) allows the fluid from the high pressure reservoir 1 (10H) to flow to the upper part (40A) of the piston housing (40) through the second check valve (30B) thereby pushing the piston (50) in downward direction, extending the shock absorber suspension spring (55) and deactivating the second solenoid valve (25) to lock the piston (50) and the spring (55) in extended position.
2. The electronic preload adjuster system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir 1 (10H) and reservoir 2 (10L) can be an integral unit or stand-alone unit respectively, said low pressure and high pressure reservoir are interchangeable based on the operation whether the adjuster is moving up or down.
3. The electronic preload adjuster system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the directional valve assembly (15) is a single valve or a combination of valves.

4. The electronic preload adjuster system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the piston housing (40) is a threaded or a welded or an integral structure to the shock absorber tube.

Dated this 02nd day of March 2018

Prafulla Wange
(Agent of Applicant)
(IN/PA-2058)