DT SWISS F 535 ONE Technical Manual page 10

2.4 SPRING CONNECTOR
The spring unit is connected to the lower unit of the fork via a spring
connector.
The spring connector basically consists of a coil spring and a guide
bushing.
The steel spring of the spring connector absorbs minor impacts before
they can be transferred to the spring unit. Since the spring unit with its
sliding seals is more inert than a steel spring, the slightest unevenness
is absorbed by the steel spring of the spring connector without the seals'
static friction having to be overcome.
In the event of major impacts or sustained force on the lower unit, the steel
spring in the spring connector is compressed to such an extent that the
force is transmitted directly to the spring unit. The cycle starts anew when
the fork is relieved and loaded again.
FUNCTION IN DETAIL
figure 6: Spring connector- function in detail
A The fork is fully extended. No force is applied to the spring connector.
B The fork starts to compress. On the first millimetres of the travel, the entire force is absorbed by the spring connector
without air being compressed in the air chamber (static friction of the seals).
C The force acting on the fork compresses the spring connector further. The piston of the air chamber starts to move and
compresses the air in the air chamber.
D After approx. 30 mm of travel, the spring in the spring connector is completely compressed. The entire force acting on
the suspension fork is transmitted directly to the piston of the air chamber.
10
50
A
1750
450
100 150
Federweg [mm]
B
figure 5: Close-up spring connector
C D