Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 031.25669 2021-07-02
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Description
Title of the invention: Adjustable suspension comprising a fluid distribution
device
Technical field
The present invention relates to the field of adjustable bicycle suspensions
and in
particular suspensions whose preload can be adjusted. Such suspensions can
equip
a bicycle fork or shock absorber.
The preload of a suspension is also called SAG, and corresponds to the
collapse
of the suspension depending on the weight of the user. The preload is
generally
.. associated with a percentage of the total stroke of the suspension between
a
compressed position and an uncompressed position. The appropriate preload is
different for each user and must therefore be adjusted before using the
bicycle.
Prior art
Mechanical spring bicycle suspensions, are known, in which the preload is
adjusted by adjusting the load exerted on the spring at rest. A disadvantage
of these
suspensions is that the mechanical spring is generally very heavy and that it
does
not provide a sufficiently large preload adjustment range. Also, it is
sometimes
necessary to change the mechanical spring according to the weight of the user.
Air suspensions are also known in which the preload is adjusted by adjusting
the
air pressure in the suspension.
The pressure is generally adjusted manually using a manual air pump. A
pressure
adjustment procedure by trial and error is then carried out, in which it is
generally
necessary to inject air into the suspension and then to eject air out of the
suspension several times.
The preload adjustment procedure then involves a large and tedious repetition
of
steps in order to obtain the desired preload.
It is also known from document EP2573420 a suspension comprising a main
chamber, a secondary chamber and a movable control element allowing to
alternately communicate the main chamber with the secondary chamber and the
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secondary chamber with the outside of the suspension, in order gradually
reduce the
pressure in the main chamber.
The pressure in the main chamber is therefore initially brought to an
excessive
value then is reduced manually and by trial and error by the user, until
reaching a
preload which seems suitable to him.
A disadvantage of this suspension is that the user must estimate himself when
the preload seems satisfactory to him and that he is not guided in this
adjustment.
He cannot therefore adjust the preload to a value adapted to his own weight.
Adjusting the preload is particularly long, difficult and imprecise.
lo Furthermore, if the pressure in the main chamber becomes insufficient,
the user
must again inject air into the suspension and repeat the actions of manual
adjustment of the preload, which is very restrictive.
Disclosure of the invention
A purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable suspension for
a
bicycle overcoming the aforementioned problems.
For this purpose, the invention relates to an adjustable suspension for a
bicycle,
comprising:
- a suspension body having a bottom;
- a piston disposed in the suspension body and comprising a piston
head, the bottom and the piston head delimiting a main chamber inside said
suspension body, the piston being movable in translation in the suspension
body;
and
- a fluid distribution device comprising a main fluid inlet configured to
inject a fluid into the suspension and a fluid outlet,
the piston being able to assume a first position in which the fluid
distribution
device is configured to bring the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet
into the
main chamber so as to deploy the piston and a second position in which the
fluid
distribution device is configured to guide the fluid injected through the main
fluid
inlet to the fluid outlet in order to evacuate the fluid out of the
suspension.
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Without departing from the scope of the invention, the suspension may be a
bicycle front suspension or rear suspension. Without limitation, it may be a
pneumatic and/or hydraulic suspension.
The main inlet can be connected to a pump or to a fluid cartridge, in order to
inject the fluid into the suspension. The fluid outlet opens out of the
adjustable
suspension.
The suspension preferably comprises an outer tube and an inner tube movable in
translation inside the outer tube. The piston is preferably secured to the
outer tube
so that it is fixed relative to said outer tube. The inner tube preferably
forms the
lo suspension body, so that the main chamber is formed in the inner tube.
The main
fluid inlet is preferably secured to the inner tube, so that it is fixed
relative to said
inner tube. The piston and the suspension body preferably describe a relative
translational movement relative to each other, along a sliding axis.
Preferably, but not necessarily, to adjust the preload of the suspension, the
user
gets on the bicycle in order to exert his weight thereon, so as to exert his
weight on
the suspension in order to compress it. Without departing from the scope of
the
invention, the suspension can be compressed in various ways, for example by
placing a weight on the bicycle. Given the weight exerted, the piston is
displaced to
the bottom of the suspension body and is placed in the first position. The
user then
injects fluid, for example air, gas or liquid, via the main fluid inlet. The
piston
cooperates with the fluid distribution device to fluidly communicate the main
chamber and the main fluid inlet. The fluid is therefore guided until the main
chamber, which has the consequence of increasing the pressure therein and
therefore the preload (or SAG). The fluid then exerts a force on the piston so
that
the latter is deployed and moves away from the bottom of the suspension body.
The
inner tube is displaced upwardly in translation relative to the outer tube.
The piston is then placed in the second position, in which the distribution
device
fluidly communicates the main fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The fluid
injected
through the main fluid inlet is therefore guided directly to the fluid outlet
and is
evacuated out of the adjustable suspension. The fluid is then no longer
injected into
the main chamber. In the second position, if the fluid injection is continued,
the
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injected fluid is not maintained in the main fluid chamber. The fluid injected
through
the main fluid inlet while the piston is in the second position is directly
guided to the
fluid outlet. The pressure in the main chamber no longer increases. In this
second
position, the preload is adjusted at a value adapted to the user.
Preferably, the piston moves from the first position to the second position by
translation along the piston axis.
Thanks to the invention, when the piston reaches the second position, the
preload is maintained at a constant value, so that its adjustment is
interrupted. The
user is therefore not required to adjust the preload by trial and error. When
the
lo piston is in the second position, the preload is adjusted precisely and
the user does
not need to carry out additional manual tests and adjustments. In addition,
insofar
as the user gets on the bicycle during the adjustment, the adjusted preload
depends
on his weight.
Furthermore, the invention allows overcoming the risk of introducing too high
fluid pressure into the main chamber, which would force the user to empty the
fluid
present in the main chamber before injecting fluid again via the main fluid
inlet.
The preload of the adjustable suspension according to the invention can
therefore be adjusted quickly and precisely.
The user can then get off the bike, so that he no longer exerts his weight on
the
suspension. The suspension is no longer constrained by the weight of the user.
Due
to the pressure of the fluid present in the main chamber, a force is exerted
on the
piston, tending to move it further away from the bottom of the suspension
body.
The piston is brought into a third position, forming a rest position, in which
said
piston is substantially fully deployed.
Therefore, when the user gest on the bicycle, the piston is translated from
the
third position to the second position and the stroke of the piston between
these third
and second positions corresponds to the preload previously adjusted.
Advantageously, the volume of the main chamber when the piston is in the first
position is less than the volume of the main chamber when the piston is in the
second position. The suspension is adjusted by injecting fluid, gradually
increasing
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the volume of the main fluid chamber to move the piston from the first
position to
the second position.
Preferably, the fluid distribution device is configured so that the fluid
injected
through the main fluid inlet remains in the suspension when the piston is in
the first
5 position. The pressure in the main chamber increases when the preload is
adjusted,
until the piston reaches the second position. The main fluid chamber does not
empty
during fluid injection. An advantage is to allow adjustment of the preload
only by
injecting the fluid.
According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the fluid
lo .. distribution device is configured to automatically bring the piston from
the first
position to the second position when fluid is injected through the main fluid
inlet.
The fluid injected into the main chamber displaces the piston from the first
position
to the second position, without additional user intervention. An advantage is
to
dispense with a step of manual adjustment of the preload. The user can bring
the
SAG to the appropriate value only by injecting the fluid, so that the
adjustment of
the preload is facilitated.
Thanks to the invention, the preload adjustment is therefore particularly
quick.
Furthermore, the SAG is precisely adjusted and maintained at the appropriate
value.
Preferably, the fluid distribution device comprises a main channel fluidly
communicating with the main fluid inlet and including at least one evacuation
orifice,
the adjustable suspension comprising an enclosure movable in translation with
the
piston relative to the main channel, the evacuation orifice opening into said
enclosure when the piston is in the first position and opening out of the
enclosure
when the piston is in the second position.
The fluid distribution device preferably comprises a conduit extending in the
suspension body and in which the main channel is formed. Said conduit is
preferably
secured to the inner tube of the suspension, so that the main channel is fixed
relative to said inner tube.
The enclosure advantageously forms a hermetic chamber with said conduit. The
fluid injected through the main fluid inlet, when the piston is in the first
position, is
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brought through the main channel into said enclosure via the evacuation
orifice. The
main fluid inlet then fluidly communicates with the enclosure via the main
channel.
The fluid is contained in said enclosure and is not brought to the fluid
outlet
In parallel, the fluid is brought into the main chamber, which has the
consequence of displacing the piston in translation relative to the channel
and to the
evacuation orifice, until the piston is placed in the second position and said
evacuation orifice opens out of the enclosure.
In other words, the injection of the fluid into the main chamber leads to the
relative displacement in translation of the fluid distribution device, and in
particular
lo of the main channel, relative to the assembly formed of the piston and
of the
enclosure.
In this second position of the piston, the fluid outlet is in fluid
communication
with the main fluid inlet via the main channel. The injected fluid is
therefore brought
to the fluid outlet through the main channel.
An advantage of this configuration is that it allows quick fluid communication
between the main fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, so as to quickly interrupt
the
injection of fluid into the main chamber. Furthermore, this fluid
communication is
carried out automatically by injecting the fluid via the main fluid inlet,
which makes it
even easier to adjust the preload.
Advantageously, the piston comprises a piston rod cooperating with the piston
head, the main channel extending at least partly in said piston rod. The main
channel preferably passes through the piston head. The piston rod and the main
channel preferably extend along the piston axis, so that the main channel is
movable
in translation along said piston axis, relative to the piston. The main
channel is
therefore guided in its relative translational movement relative to the
piston.
Preferably, the enclosure is at least partly disposed in the piston rod. An
advantage is to allow the relative displacement of the piston and the
enclosure while
limiting the overall size of this assembly. The enclosure preferably has the
shape of a
cylinder having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the piston rod.
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Preferably, said at least one evacuation orifice opens into an evacuation
chamber
fluidly communicating with the fluid outlet, when said piston is in the second
position. In the second position of the piston, the evacuation orifice opens
into the
evacuation chamber so that the fluid injected via the air inlet is brought
through the
main channel into said evacuation chamber. This evacuation chamber then allows
bringing the fluid to the fluid outlet and therefore out of the adjustable
suspension.
Advantageously, the enclosure and the main channel extend into the evacuation
chamber. An advantage is to reduce the size of the suspension. The evacuation
chamber is preferably cylindrical and has a diameter slightly greater than the
diameter of the enclosure. The evacuation chamber is advantageously secured to
the piston and to the outer tube of the suspension. The enclosure is
preferably
secured to the evacuation chamber.
Preferably, the fluid distribution device further comprises a secondary
channel
fluidly communicating with the main fluid inlet and with the main chamber in
order
to bring the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet into said main
chamber, when
the piston is in the first position. The fluid injected through the main inlet
is
therefore simultaneously brought into the main channel and into the secondary
channel.
According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the
secondary
channel comprises a check valve configured to prevent the fluid from escaping
from
the main chamber when it is in a first state, and to allow the fluid to escape
from the
main chamber when it is in a second state.
The check valve is configured to allow the entry of the fluid into the main
chamber when the pressure of said fluid upstream of said check valve is
greater
than a predetermined pressure threshold.
When the user starts adjusting the preload and initiates the injection of the
fluid,
the piston being in the first position, the pressure of the injected fluid is
initially
insufficient to allow the fluid to enter the main chamber. The fluid is
therefore
brought into the enclosure.
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In this first position of the piston, the fluid distribution device forms a
closed
assembly configured to contain the injected fluid. Also, the pressure within
the
enclosure and the main channel gradually increases with the injection of
fluid, until
reaching the predetermined pressure threshold. Therefore, the check valve
opens
s and allows the entry of the fluid into the main chamber. This causes the
piston to
displace in a direction opposite the bottom of the suspension body, until the
second
position.
In the second position of the piston, the injected fluid is brought through
the
main channel out of the enclosure, to the fluid outlet and out of the
suspension.
Also, the pressure in the distribution device decreases and becomes lower than
the
predetermined pressure threshold. The pressure upstream of the check valve is
then
insufficient to allow the entry of the fluid into the main chamber.
The check valve closes. The amount of fluid and the pressure within the main
chamber and therefore the preload then remain constant, even in the event of
continued injection of fluid through the main fluid inlet.
An advantage is therefore to precisely regulate the preload by preventing the
injection of too much fluid into the main chamber, while reducing the risk
that the
fluid escapes from the main chamber and therefore that the preload is out of
adjustment.
Preferably, the fluid distribution device comprises a plug configured to be
removably mounted on the suspension body and in which the main fluid inlet is
formed, said plug being shaped to establish fluid communication between the
main
fluid inlet, the main channel and the secondary channel, when said plug is
mounted
on the suspension body.
An advantage is to reduce the size and weight of the suspension during use by
removing said suspension plug. A housing is preferably formed in the plug,
allowing
fluid communication between the main fluid inlet, the main channel and the
secondary channel. Removing the plug advantageously allows the enclosure to
fluidly communicate with the atmosphere, via the main channel. An advantage is
to
empty the enclosure after adjusting the preload. The fluid within the main
chamber
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is maintained in this main chamber, for example thanks to the check valve, so
that
the preload remains constant.
Advantageously, the fluid is a gas, for example carbon dioxide. The gas may
initially be contained in a gas cartridge connectable to the main fluid inlet
to allow
injection of the gas into the suspension.
The invention also relates to a method for adjusting an adjustable suspension
as
described above, comprising the following steps:
- the main chamber is fluidly communicated with the atmosphere;
- the suspension is compressed so as to evacuate the fluid from
the main
lo chamber and place the piston in the first position; and
- the fluid is injected into the main chamber through the main
fluid inlet
of the fluid distribution device so as to displace the piston to its second
position, in
which the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet is guided to the fluid
outlet.
Preferably, the user is on the bicycle during the injection of the fluid into
the
main chamber, so that the adjusted preload is adapted to the weight of said
user.
In addition, the invention relates to a bicycle including at least one
adjustable
suspension as described above.
Brief description of the drawings
[Fig. 1] Figure 1 illustrates a fork provided with an adjustable suspension
according
to the invention;
[Fig. 2] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable suspension of Figure
1;
[Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the adjustable suspension of Figure
1, the
piston being in a first position;
[Fig. 4] Figure 4 illustrates the upper portion of the adjustable suspension
of Figure
1, the piston being in the first position;
[Fig. 5] Figure 5 illustrates the lower portion of the adjustable suspension
of Figure
1, the piston being in the first position;
[Fig. 6] Figure 6 illustrates the upper portion of the adjustable suspension
of Figure
1, the piston being in a second position;
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[Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the adjustable suspension of Figure
1, the
piston being in the second position;
[Fig. 8] Figure 8 illustrates the lower portion of the adjustable suspension
of Figure
1, the piston being in the second position; and
5 [Fig.9] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the adjustable suspension of
Figure 1, the
piston being in a third position;
[Fig. 10] Figure 10 illustrates the lower portion of the adjustable suspension
of
Figure 1, the piston being in the third position; and
[Fig. 11] Figure 11 illustrates a bicycle comprising an adjustable suspension
io according to the invention.
Description of the embodiments
The invention relates to an adjustable suspension of a bicycle, the preload of
which can be easily adjusted, depending on the weight of the user.
Figure 1 illustrates a fork 8 provided with two adjustable suspensions 10,10'
in
accordance with the present invention.
The adjustable suspension 10 comprises, conventionally, an outer tube 12 and
an inner tube 14 slidably mounted in the outer tube 12 along a sliding axis X.
The
inner tube 14 forms a suspension body 16 comprising at the upper portion a
connection sleeve 18 forming a bottom 20 of the suspension body, visible in
Figure 4.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable suspension 10 of Figure 1. In
this
figure, it can be noted, without limitation, that the adjustable suspension 10
comprises a piston 22 having a piston head 24 and a piston rod 26.
In the sectional view of Figure 3, it can be seen that the piston 22 is
disposed
inside the suspension body 16 and delimits with the bottom 20 a main chamber
28
inside said suspension body 16. The piston rod 26 extends along the sliding
axis X,
so that the piston 22 is slidably mounted along this sliding axis X inside the
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suspension body 16. The piston 22 therefore describes a relative translational
movement with the inner tube 14.
The piston rod 26 comprises a first cylindrical portion 30 secured to the
outer
tube 12 of the adjustable suspension and delimiting an evacuation chamber 32
extending along the sliding axis X. The piston rod 26 comprises a second
cylindrical
portion 31 closed at its lower end forming an enclosure 34 inside the piston
rod 26
and extending along the sliding axis X. The second cylindrical portion 31 and
therefore the enclosure 34 extend inside the first cylindrical portion 30. The
evacuation chamber 32, the enclosure 34 and the piston 22 are fixed relative
to
each other.
The piston rod 26 in addition comprises a cylindrical recess 36 of a reduced
length, as well as a hole 38 passing radially through said piston rod 26 so
that it
fluidly communicates said recess 36 and said evacuation chamber 32.
The adjustable suspension further comprises a fluid distribution device 40
comprising a main fluid inlet 42 disposed in the upper portion of the inner
tube 14
forming the suspension body 16, and a fluid outlet 44 disposed in the lower
portion
of the first cylindrical portion 30 and located in the lower portion of the
outer tube
12. The evacuation chamber 32 is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet
44.
The fluid outlet 44 opens out of the adjustable suspension 10.
The fluid distribution device 40 moreover comprises a main channel 46. In this
non-limiting example, the main channel 46 comprises an inclined portion 48 and
a
straight portion 50. The inclined portion 48 is formed in the connection
sleeve 18
and opens into the straight portion 50 of the main channel 46. The straight
portion
50 of the main channel 46 is formed in a conduit 47. The main channel 46
extends
partly inside the main chamber 28, passes through the piston head 26 and
extends
partly inside the piston rod 26. The straight portion 50 of the main channel
46
extends along the sliding axis X.
The conduit 47 has a first end secured to the connection sleeve 18 and
therefore to the bottom 20 of the suspension body 16, so that the main channel
46
is fixed relative to the inner tube 14. The conduit 47 has a second end,
opposite to
the first end, extending into the enclosure 34 and provided with a cap 52
closing
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the main channel 46. The main channel has a length slightly less than the
length of
the inner tube 14.
The main channel 46 further comprises an evacuation orifice 54 formed in the
wall of the conduit and extending radially relative to the sliding axis X. The
evacuation orifice 54 and the main channel are in fluid communication.
The enclosure 34 is movable in translation with the piston 22 relative to the
main channel 46, along the sliding axis X. The piston 22, the enclosure 34 and
the
outer tube 12 are fixed relative to each other.
The fluid distribution device 40 in addition comprises a secondary channel 56,
formed in the connection sleeve 18 and opening into the main chamber 28. In
this
non-limiting example, the secondary channel comprises an axial portion
extending
along the sliding axis X and a radial portion extending radially relative to
the sliding
axis X.
In this non-limiting example, the fluid distribution device 40 further
comprises a
is removable plug 58 mounted at the upper end of the suspension body 16 and
in
which the main fluid inlet 42 is formed. An inner housing 60 is formed in this
removable plug 58 in order to fluidly communicate the main fluid inlet 42 with
the
main channel 46 and the secondary channel 56.
The secondary channel 56 comprises a check valve 62 provided with a spring.
The check valve 62 can assume a first state in which it prevents a fluid from
escaping from the main chamber 28 and a second state in which it allows the
fluid
to escape from the main chamber 28. The check valve 62 is further configured
to
open and allow the entry of the fluid into the main chamber 28 when the
pressure
of said fluid upstream of said check valve is greater than a predetermined
pressure
threshold.
The steps of adjusting the preload of the adjustable suspension 10 described
above will be detailed using Figures 3 to 10.
First, the main chamber 28 is substantially emptied of fluid. The user then
gets
on the bike, so as to compress the adjustable suspension. The piston 22 is
then
placed in a first position illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In this first
position, the
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piston head 24 is disposed at a distance dl from the bottom 20 of the
suspension
body. Furthermore, the evacuation orifice 54 opens into the enclosure 34, so
that
the main fluid inlet 42 is in fluid communication with said enclosure 34 via
the main
channel 46.
The user then injects a fluid, for example a gas such as carbon dioxide,
through
the main fluid inlet 42 disposed on the removable plug 58. The fluid may be
contained in a cartridge. Alternatively, the user can connect a pump to the
main
inlet. The circulation of the fluid is illustrated by arrows. The fluid then
penetrates
into the housing 60 of the removable plug. The pressure of the injected fluid,
.. upstream of the check valve, is insufficient to allow the opening of the
check valve
62 and therefore the entry of the fluid into the main chamber 28. The fluid is
guided through the main channel 46 to the enclosure 34, as illustrated in
Figure 5.
Said enclosure is closed and, in this first position of the piston, the
distribution
device 40 is configured to maintain the fluid injected into the suspension.
Also, the
.. pressure within the enclosure 34, the main channel 46 and the housing 60
formed
in the removable plug gradually increases with the injection of the fluid.
When the pressure in the main channel 46, in the housing and therefore
upstream of the check valve 62 becomes greater than the predetermined pressure
threshold for opening said check valve 62, the latter opens and allows the
entry of
the fluid into the main chamber 28, via the secondary channel 56. This step is
illustrated in Figure 6. The pressure in the main chamber 28 increases due to
the
fluid penetrating therein. In parallel, a portion of the fluid injected
through the main
fluid inlet continues to be brought into the main channel.
A force is then exerted by the fluid present in the main chamber on the piston
.. head 24, oriented along the sliding axis X, in a direction opposite to the
main fluid
inlet 42. The piston 22 is then displaced relatively in said direction, to the
fluid
outlet 44, along the sliding axis X relative to the main channel 46. The
distance
between the bottom 20 of the suspension body 16 and the piston head 24
increases. Also, the volume of the main chamber 28 increases. More
specifically, the
.. inner tube 14 and the main channel 46 describe a relative translational
movement,
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along the sliding axis X, relative to the piston 22, to the enclosure 34 and
to the
outer tube 12.
As can be seen from the passage from Figure 3 to Figure 7, the evacuation
orifice 54 formed in the conduit 47 also describes a relative translational
movement
relative to the enclosure 34 and to the piston rod 26, until it no longer
opens into
said enclosure 34 but into the recess 36 formed in the piston rod 26.
Consequently,
the piston 22 is placed in a second position in which the piston head 24 and
the
bottom 20 of the suspension body are separated by a distance d2 greater than
the
initial distance di. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 8, the fluid
injected through
the main fluid inlet 42 is brought into the main channel 46, then into the
recess 36,
into the hole 38 passing through the piston rod 26, into the evacuation
chamber 32
and is finally guided out of the adjustable suspension 10 via the fluid outlet
44.
Thanks to the invention, the piston 22 passes from the first position to the
second position automatically, by continuous injection of fluid through the
main fluid
inlet 42.
In this second position of the piston 22, illustrated in Figure 8, the main
fluid
inlet 42 is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet 44 so that the
injected fluid is
evacuated from the adjustable suspension 10 through said fluid outlet.
Consequently, the pressure within the main channel 46 and the housing 60
formed
in the removable plug 58, and therefore upstream of the check valve 62
decreases
and becomes lower than the predetermined pressure threshold for opening the
check valve 62.
Also, the fluid no longer enters the main chamber 28 and the piston 22 is no
longer displaced relative to the main channel 46. Furthermore, the check valve
62 is
by default in a first state in which it prevents the fluid from escaping from
the main
chamber 28 so that the amount of fluid present in said main chamber remains
constant. The preload of the suspension is then adjusted and no longer
changes,
despite the continuation of the injection of fluid through the main fluid
inlet 42. Also
thanks to the invention, the preload is adjusted very easily, by injecting the
fluid
continuously through the main fluid inlet. The user is not required to adjust
the
preload.
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Insofar as the user is placed on the bicycle during the adjustment, the second
position of the piston 22, for which the evacuation orifice 54 opens out of
the
enclosure 34, is conditioned by the weight of the user. Also, the preload, or
SAG, is
adjusted according to the weight of the user.
The user can then get off the bicycle, which is illustrated by the passage
from
Figure 7 to Figure 9. Due to the pressure exerted by the fluid present within
the
main chamber 28, the outer tube 12 and the main channel 46 are further
translated and the volume of the main chamber 28 further increases until a
third
position of the piston 22, which corresponds to a rest position of the
adjustable
suspension. In this third position, the piston head 24 and the bottom 20 of
the
suspension body are separated by a distance d3 greater than the initial
distance dl
and the distance d2. The stroke of the piston 22 between these second and
third
positions corresponds to the preload previously adjusted. As illustrated in
Figure 10,
even if the injection of fluid is continued, the fluid is brought out of the
suspension
via the fluid outlet.
The user can then detach the removable plug 58 from the suspension body 16,
which has the consequence of fluidly communicating the main channel 46 with
the
atmosphere. An advantage is to empty the fluid possibly present in the main
channel 46. The check valve 62, which is in the first state, maintains the
fluid
present in the main chamber 28. The size and the weight of the suspension are
therefore reduced by removing the removable plug 58.
When the user wishes to adjust the preload again, the check valve 62 should be
placed in a second state, in which the fluid escapes from the main chamber 28,
so
as to be able to place the piston in the first position and repeat the steps
detailed
above.
Figure 11 illustrates a bicycle comprising a fork 8 provided with an
adjustable
suspension 10 according to the invention.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-26
15a
In some aspects, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to one or more
of
the following items:
[Item 1] An adjustable suspension for a bicycle, comprising:
- a suspension body having a bottom;
- a piston disposed in the suspension body and comprising
a piston head, the bottom and the piston head delimiting a main chamber inside
said suspension body, the piston being movable in translation in the
suspension
body; and
- a fluid distribution device comprising a main fluid inlet
configured to inject a fluid into the suspension and a fluid outlet,
the piston being able to assume a first position in which the fluid
distribution
device is configured to bring the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet
into
the main chamber so as to deploy the piston and a second position in which the
fluid distribution device is configured to guide the fluid injected through
the main
fluid inlet to the fluid outlet in order to evacuate the fluid out of the
suspension,
the fluid distribution device being configured to automatically bring the
piston
from the first position to the second position when fluid is injected through
the
main fluid inlet.
[Item 2] The adjustable suspension according to item 1, wherein the volume of
the main chamber when the piston is in the first position is less than the
volume
of the main chamber when the piston is in the second position.
[Item 3] The adjustable suspension according to item 1 or 2, wherein the fluid
distribution device is configured so that the fluid injected through the main
fluid
inlet remains in the suspension when the piston is in the first position.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-26
15b
[Item 4]The adjustable suspension according to any one of items 1 to 3,
wherein the fluid distribution device comprises a main channel fluidly
communicating with the main fluid inlet and including at least one evacuation
orifice, the adjustable suspension comprising an enclosure movable in
translation
with the piston relative to the main channel, the evacuation orifice opening
into
said enclosure when the piston is in the first position and opening out of the
enclosure when the piston is in the second position.
[Item 5] The adjustable suspension according to item 4, wherein the piston
comprises a piston rod cooperating with the piston head, the main channel
extending at least partly in said piston rod.
[Item 6] The adjustable suspension according to item 5, wherein the enclosure
is at least partly disposed in the piston rod.
[Item 7] The adjustable suspension according to any one of items 4 to 6,
wherein said at least one evacuation orifice opens into an evacuation chamber
fluidly communicating with the fluid outlet, when said piston is in the second
position.
[Item 8] The adjustable suspension according to item 7, wherein the enclosure
and the main channel extend into the evacuation chamber.
[Item 9] The adjustable suspension according to any one of items 4 to 8,
wherein the fluid distribution device further comprises a secondary channel
fluidly communicating with the main fluid inlet and with the main chamber in
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-26
15c
order to bring the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet into said main
chamber, when the piston is in the first position.
[Item 10] The adjustable suspension according to item 9, wherein the
secondary channel comprises a check valve configured to prevent the fluid from
escaping from the main chamber when said check valve is in a first state, and
to
allow the fluid to escape from the main chamber when said check valve is in a
second state.
[Item 11] The adjustable suspension according to item 9 or 10, wherein the
fluid distribution device comprises a plug configured to be removably mounted
on the suspension body and in which the main fluid inlet is formed, said plug
being shaped to establish fluid communication between the main fluid inlet,
the
main channel and the secondary channel, when said plug is mounted on the
suspension body.
[Item 12] The adjustable suspension according to any one of items 1 to 11,
wherein the fluid is a gas.
[Item 13] The adjustable suspension according to item 12, wherein the gas is
carbon dioxide.
[Item 14] A method for adjusting an adjustable suspension for a bicycle,
comprising:
- a suspension body having a bottom
- a piston disposed in the suspension body and comprising a piston
head, the bottom and the piston head delimiting a main chamber inside said
suspension body, the piston being movable in translation in the suspension
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-26
15d
body; and
- a fluid distribution device comprising a main fluid inlet configured to
inject a fluid into the suspension and a fluid outlet,
the piston being able to assume a first position in which the fluid
distribution
device is configured to bring the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet
into
the main chamber so as to deploy the piston and a second position in which the
fluid distribution device is configured to guide the fluid injected through
the main
fluid inlet to the fluid outlet in order to evacuate the fluid out of the
suspension,
the method comprising the following steps:
- the main chamber is fluidly communicated with the atmosphere;
- the suspension is compressed so as to evacuate the fluid from the
main chamber and place the piston in the first position; and
- the fluid is injected into the main chamber through the main fluid inlet
of the fluid distribution device so as to displace the piston to its second
position,
in which the fluid injected through the main fluid inlet is guided to the
fluid
outlet.
[Item 15] A bicycle including at least one adjustable suspension according to
any
one of items 1 to 13.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-07-26
