In this article, we’ll be discussing a Multi-Body Vehicle Suspension Linkage by Yeti, US publication 20200247500. The publication date is August 6^th 2020 and the filing date was Jan 31, 2020. This patent is related to numerous provisional applications.

This article is the second of a 4 part series. Please read the first article for some background on this article. Some of this article is going to be a copy/paste of the first article since they’re so similar, and I’m going to assume people are going to come straight here and not read the first article.

Brief Summary (tl;dr)

Yeti have created a new 6-bar suspension system that utilizes a similar Switch Infinity-type concept, where the bottom pivot moves upward to an inflection point and back down at the end of the travel. Unlike the linear movement of the Switch Infinity, the bottom pivot of this system moves has a non-constant radius of curvature, unlike the linear system where the radius of curvature is zero and unlike a circular motion where the curvature is constant. Yeti claim this may improve anti-squat and anti-rise numbers. More importantly, Yeti claim the 6-bar system will allow the designers more freedom in separating kinematic dials such as anti-squat, anti-rise, and leverage ratio.

If you’re done reading here, jump over to part 3.

Background

Yeti developed the Switch Infinity system a few years ago, and it looks like we’re getting an updated version. The first article speaks about a 6 bar system with a smaller 4 bar system located at the bottom pivot, where the bottom pivot moves in a linear migration path with small curvature at the ends of the migration path.

There are multiple rear suspension systems in the mountain biking industry, such as Horst-link, single pivot, VPP, and Yeti’s Switch Infinity to name a few. All these suspension systems provide unique kinematic characteristics, allowing us, as consumers, to argue about which design is the best. Each system turns every single kinematic dial in such a way to produce a bike that will perform how the manufacturer wants the bike to perform.

For a little technical background, we’ll define some important vehicle dynamic terms. Instant velocity centers (IVC), physical instant velocity centers (PIVC), and dynamic instant velocity centers (DIVC) are used in all suspension design. An IVC is a point of a moving body that does not have a velocity at a point in time. Additionally, Yeti defines PIVC’s as:

“PIVCs are defined at the pivotal axes or virtual pivotal axes of jointed linkage body members. There are four PIVCs in a 4-bar linkage while there are seven PIVCs in a 6-bar linkage”.

In other words, the seven PIVCs are physical pivots and do not need to be derived. You can view them on the bike as it sits. DIVCs are migrations of IVCs, so they’re moving IVCs. In this article, we’re only going to talk specifics about the PIVCs, or else this article will be 5 times longer.

The number of IVC’s of a suspension system can be calculated using the equation:

where N is the number of total number of IC’s and n is the number of links (bars). In the case of a 4 bar system, there are 6 total IC’s. In the case of a 6 bar system, there are a whopping 15 IC’s. These IC’s are what controls the feel of our bikes.

Intro

For the sake of time and text savings, here’s a quick overview of the current Switch Infinity system. Yeti say this design ‘gets exactly what we want in’ pedaling, descending, and leverage ratio characteristics, whatever that means.

In the last article, Yeti use a Watts 4 bar system to incorporate the up-down transition we all know and love. The Watts system uses two opposing links to control the movement of a center link, which is connected to the ends of the two opposing links. The result is a bottom pivot with a migration path that is linear in the middle of the path and has small amounts of curvature at the ends of the migration path.

The system in this second example uses the Chebyshev 4-bar system. Rather than using two opposing links, the links in the Chebyshev system non-opposing links to drive another link to near linear movement with a non-constant radius of curvature.

Intended novelty

The intended novelty of this part of the invention is the same as the first part. The bottom pivot has a non-linear migration path, unlike the current Switch Infinity system. The complete Yeti system is a 6-bar system, but also unlike the Watts 4-bar, the Chebyshev 4-bar system of this invention contains non-opposing links driving a pivot in a non-linear migration path.

Why

From a practicality perspective, Yeti claim multiple advantages of this design. Yeti state:

The smaller envelope of the linkage design as disclosed herein can have several advantages structurally: For example, there is more clearance between the rear tire and the suspended body allowing for a shorter distance from the driving cog axis to the driven wheel axis. This can be a performance benefit allowing for quicker turning. The added tire clearance provides more room for dirt and mud that can build up when riding. This added clearance also allows room for a larger “bridge” tying together the drive and non-drive sides of swingarm body which aids in torsional stiffness. The added clearance in front of the driving cog axis provides more room to fit a water bottle and other accessories within the frame of [front triangle].

From a kinematic perspective, Yeti further claim that:

The smaller envelope of the linkage design as disclosed herein can have several advantages kinematically because there is more freedom to locate PIVC [10]45 and therefore a greater ability to tune parameters such as antisquat, anti-rise, and leverage rate which translates to greater performance. Also, PIVC migration paths are able to have an extremely large minimum radius of curvature, or unique curvature profiles with inflection points within this small linkage envelope. This is not possible with traditional links and allows for increased tunability of suspension behavior”.

So, Yeti believe this is a more tunable, and refinable suspension system for the future.

From a compliance perspective, in Fig. 2.16, Yeti show a rear view of the seat tube with both the current Switch Infinity system and the proposed suspension system. They claim that

…6104 is horizontal distance of the linkage interface between swingarm body 1002-E and link body 1005-E. 5105 is horizontal distance of the linkage interface between swingarm body 5002-E and link body 5005-E. It is clear 6104>5105. The wider interface as disclosed herein allows for a stiffer interface between swingarm body 1002-E and link body 1005-E which translates to a stiffer interface between swingarm body 1002-E and the suspended body 2. This allows greater performance by improving the handling accuracy of the vehicle.

In short, the wider profile of the proposed system would provide more stiffness, leading to better handling. Note in figure 2.16 how much wider and shorter this new system is compared to the current Switch Infinity system.

What

Yeti are introducing another design for the same idea of having a non-linear migration path of the bottom pivot. Again, this is a 6-bar system with a pivot that is not concentric with the shock link pivot due to the solid swingarm. The result should be similar to the current Switch Infinity system with an inflection point and a reversal of the bottom pivot. The important distinction is that the linear migration path of the bottom pivot in the current Switch Infinity system is not the same as this invention. Yeti aren’t 100% clear as to what advantages this design has over the first example.

Yeti state that this design is similar to the design from the first article, but not exactly the same. Yeti say:

…embodiment 2 [example 2] exhibits similar anti-squat, anti-rise, and leverage rate properties, although not identical. The higher anti-squat percentage is for pedaling efficiency in the beginning of the travel while the lower anti-squat percentage minimizes the anti-squat force where bump absorption takes precedence. Thus, suspension performance may be improved through the interrelationship between the 15 IVC migration paths.

How

We’ll start with a brief background. There are 3 different states of a Yeti bike; an extended state (E), an inflection state (I), and a compressed state (C). As with the Switch Infinity system, Yeti like to use an inflection state, where the bottom pivot of their suspension system changes direction. The extended state is a static, no-load state. The compressed state is fully hucked to flat state.

Next, let’s talk about important components. The table below shows links and pivots in the system that contribute to the new suspension system.

Figure 2.1 shows the proposed suspension system in a fully extended position. The swingarm (component 1002) is attached at PIVC 1045 and PIVC 1046. The upper pivot of the swing arm pivot is linked at PIVC 1046 and pivots around PIVC 42. The swingarm is also attached to a bottom pivot system. This bottom pivot system is the novelty of this invention. It’s important to remember that PIVC 1045 is the bottom pivot that is connected to the swingarm and will be performing the up-down movement.

Figure 2.11 and 2.12 shows two detailed views of the seat tube with the suspension in an extended state and a compressed state, without the swingarm. As the bike goes through its travel, the shock is compressed around PIVC 1042. Again, the swingarm is pivoting about PIVC 1045 and 1046. Here’s where it gets tricky. There is binding in the system due to the swingarm being a solid piece and the lack of concentricity with the 2 pivots. This is solved (and was solved in the Switch Infinity) by using a movable bottom pivot (PIVC 1045). Yeti have a few different configurations of this design that we’ll talk about in this section.

Figure 2.8 shows a simple point schematic of the bottom pivot system from Figures 2.11 and 2.12. Again, note the E, I, and C as extended, inflection, and compressed states. As the bike goes into its travel, the swingarm PIVC 1045 travels upward to an inflection point then downward during a fully compressed state. Note the two lines marked with a ‘2’ are the swingarm. The only pivot points that are not moving are PIVCs 1040 and 1041 (attached to the front triangle). All other points in the system move during wheel travel.

There is a concentric rotation of the shock link body 1006 around PIVC 1042. Consequently, because the rear swing arm has zero pivots, this rotation is not concentric around the pivot link body 1005, which is constrained by links 1003 and 1004. This entire proposed configuration is based on a system called a Chebyshev 4-bar system. The Chebyshev 4-bar system constrains a point (1045) with two non-opposing links (1003 and 1004) in such a way that the point (PIVC 1045) moves in a nearly straight line, using the two links (1003 and 1004) rotating around two different pivots (1040 and 1041). In the case of this invention, links 1003 and 1004 move point 1045 nearly linearly, but not quite. Figure 2.26 shows an example migration path of PIVC 1045 through the bike’s travel. As you can see, the migration path is not quite perfectly linear.

Yeti describe the migration path of PIVC 1045:

The radius of curvature is not constant and varies throughout the entire migration path. This is not true with linear motion [old system] where the curvature is 0, or with circular motion where the curvature is constant [other manufacturer system].

Well, that’s the geometry. Now let’s talk about how they’re implementing the concept on the bikes.

Aside from the typical shock linkage, there is a small device behind the seat tube, just above the bottom bracket. Figure 2.15 shows an isometric view of one of the proposed systems installed on a bike compared to the current Switch Infinity system. Note how much smaller, wider, and simpler this new system is.

Figure 2.14 shows an exploded view of the same system. As you can see, the configuration appears to be smaller and possibly simpler/lighter than the current Switch system. There are two links, 1003 and 1004, attached to the front triangle. These links are then attached to link 1005. This is the Chebyshev 4-bar system.

Yeti don’t state any more examples of this system, such as flexible brackets or anything of the sort. It appears as though this is a simpler system compared to the Watts system.

When

Words by Mike Kazimer at Pinkbike:

When will we see this system released on a new bike? Well, according to Yeti, not any time soon – “We are constantly developing and exploring new ideas. However, not all R&D projects make it to production. We have several test mules of various suspension designs that we’ve been on for years. At the present, we are planned out through 2023 and this patent isn’t in our production line.” All the same, it’s interesting to get a glimpse at what’s being developed, and to examine the different elements that make up a new suspension system.

In the end, Yeti are really moving this Switch Infinity idea forward. I’m both extremely impressed with the idea and this patent document. It gets very deep into the background of the concept and is fairly clear as to what the design is. The combination of a 6 bar system, with a tiny 4 bar system, is awesome. The only thing I’m not happy about in this document, which is typical with most patent documents, is the advantages aren’t clearly stated. This is coming from a bike enthusiast. My patent engineer side understands the lack of spelled-out advantages, as it’s not required nor advisable to put those in a patent document. Either way, this idea is excellent and I hope you enjoyed reading about it.

For article 3, I’ll be talking about article 1 again, with the Watts 4-bar system, but implemented in an insane fashion.

If you think you see something wrong in this article, please email me. We can’t have misinformation out there. Even if you’re not 100% sure you’re right, I’d still like to hear from you.