Inside Motorcycles Magazine
  • News
    • Products
    • Reports, Results & Points
    • Rider & Team Releases
    • Industry News
    • All News
  • Multimedia
  • Current Issue
  • Features
  • Blogs
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
  • News
    • Products
    • Reports, Results & Points
    • Rider & Team Releases
    • Industry News
    • All News
  • Multimedia
  • Current Issue
  • Features
  • Blogs
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Subscribe
Inside Motorcycles Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Ducati’s Active Suspension Patent

IM Admin by IM Admin
November 29, 2012
in Andrew Trevitt
0
Courtesy U.S. Patent Office

A patent issued to Ducati describes a mechanism in the rear suspension linkage that changes ride height to improve braking, making at least one aspect of the suspension active.

4
SHARES
175
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In the current issue of the magazine, my article covers in detail the semi-active suspension systems recently introduced by Ducati and BMW, along with a brief primer on active suspension. While semi-active or adaptive systems have become more prevalent in the motorcycle industry in recent years there has been little headway on active suspension.

Semi-active suspension, as used on the BMW HP4 and Ducati Multistrada, controls the damping valves electronically to vary suspension action based on changing conditions. Active suspension, however, completely replaces the spring and damper unit with an electromagnetic or hydraulic ram that physically moves the wheel to match the road surface. A couple of interesting variants are the http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/automotive/bose_suspension/index.jsp”>Bose Suspension System and the Michelin Active Wheel.

A patent issued to Ducati almost a decade ago, with the inventors listed as Claudio Domenicali and Filippo Preziosi, describes a rear suspension system with a hydraulic actuator in the linkage that can change ride height automatically. The application and issued patent are entitled “Motorcycle With Active Rear Suspension Unit Providing Improved Braking.” While it’s not a fully active system by any means, the basic concept and first building block are there.

The system senses when the motorcycle is braking, either via a pressure sensor, fork travel sensor or if the throttle is closed abruptly, and lowers the rear of the motorcycle by collapsing the actuator. This lowers the overall centre of gravity and allows the rider to brake more aggressively without having the motorcycle tip over. Once braking is completed, the actuator is extended, returning ride height to its normal position.

Operating only under braking, the ram would not have to alter ride height quickly; a fully active system must be able to move the wheel in milliseconds, and this is the essential difference between what is described in the Ducati patent and a suspension system that is truly active. The technology for active suspension is available and some automobiles are equipped as such, but for motorcycles the major stumbling block is the actuator. Electromechanical units as used in the Active Wheel or Bose system are bulky and require a considerable amount of electrical power; hydraulic rams may be smaller, but require pumps and power to operate them. One last consideration: While a ram of some form could easily replace a shock absorber in a single-shock rear suspension, the traditional front fork presents more of an obstacle as the ram must be a structural component as well.

Currently active suspension for motorcycles is prohibitively expensive and heavy, but given the progress of semi-active systems in the recent past, that may change in the not-too-distant future. The first applications would most likely be on touring machines; comfort and performance would be improved, but the added weight and cost would not be as much of a penalty as they would on a sportbike.

Tags: active suspensionadaptive suspensionBMW HP4Bose Suspension SystemClaudio DomenicaliDucati MultistradaFilippo PreziosiMichelin Active Wheelsemi-active suspension
Share2Tweet1
Previous Post

FIM confirms 18-race MotoGP schedule

Next Post

Rossi takes third Monza Rally win

Next Post
Photo courtesy motogp.com

Rossi takes third Monza Rally win

Featured Ads

<

Inside Motorcycles

Since 1998, Inside Motorcycles has been “Canada’s Source for Motorcycle News.” With its in-depth coverage of the Canadian motorcycle industry, Inside Motorcycles has become an indispensable resource for riders and racing enthusiasts across the country. Published 8 times a year, Inside Motorcycles is on top of all the latest industry developments, both in Canada and internationally.

Corporate

  • About IM
  • Frequently Questions
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Advertising

  • Magazine Advertising
  • Web Advertising
  • Marketplace

Magazine

  • Subscribe
  • Renew Subscription
  • Change Address
  • Gift Subscription
  • Return Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 1998-2023 Inside Motorcycles. All Rights Reserved.
Please do not replicate images or take columns from this website for use on another without permission of the author.
Designed and developed in Adelion Studio

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Products
    • Reports, Results & Points
    • Rider & Team Releases
    • Industry News
    • All News
  • Multimedia
  • Current Issue
  • Features
  • Blogs

© 1998-2023 Inside Motorcycles. All Rights Reserved.
Please do not replicate images or take columns from this website for use on another without permission of the author.
Designed and developed in Adelion Studio

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgot Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?