This work illustrates the utility of Axiomatic Design theory as a tool for innovation. It has been shown that motorcycle steering dampers are characterized by two functional requirements (FRs): the functional requirement of safety, that requires a high damping coefficient, and the functional requirement of comfort, that requires a low damping coefficient.
The traditional steering dampers with constant damping coefficient have less number of DPs than FRs (coupling), and hence it is impossible to satisfy the two FRs at the same time. In order to define the damping coefficients generally required on the steering axis to ensure safety and comfort in all conditions, a model of motorcycle developed by Sharp and and Limebeer has been considered [8].
By following the Axiomatic Design principles, it was possible to find an innovative conceptual solution for a steering damper based on MR fluid with a decoupled design matrix. This new steering meets both the functional requirements of safety and comfort, since it is able to switch from the minimum damping coefficient (cmin) to the maximum one (cmax) simply by applying a magnetic field. In this way, unlike the traditional steering dampers, the MR damper