Front wheel support steering structure of dual front wheel motorcycles

Abstract

A front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle includes an upper fixed seat, a lower fixed seat, and a reset fixed seat on the main frame. The swaying device comprises a single upper crossarm and a single lower crossarm, the middle portions of which are movably connected to the main frame. A fixed seat is fixedly mounted on the main frame, and a swing seat is fixedly mounted on the upper crossarm. The swing seat oscillates synchronously with the upper crossarm. A left and right swaying hydraulic cylinder are positioned between the fixed seat and the swing seat. The two cylinders are connected via hydraulic lines, and a swaying switch valve is installed on the hydraulic lines. This invention features a simpler structure, higher reliability, easier assembly and processing, and easier maintenance. The left and right swaying hydraulic cylinders lock the parallelogram swaying mechanism, and the left and right shock absorber cylinders lock the left and right shock absorber rods, thus providing effective support for the vehicle and adapting to different parking environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of motorcycles, specifically to a front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle. Background Technology

[0002] Existing motorcycles typically employ a two- or three-wheeled design, with the front wheel serving as the steering mechanism. The rider changes direction by turning the handlebars. Three-wheeled motorcycles are generally easier for riders to control than two-wheeled ones. Traditional three-wheeled motorcycles, however, generally use a single front wheel and two rear wheels. This design suffers from steering stability issues, making it unsuitable for high-speed turns, as it can easily tip over. Furthermore, traditional three-wheeled motorcycles are only suitable for relatively flat surfaces. On uneven terrain, the shock absorption systems of both the front and rear wheels pose significant safety risks.

[0003] In recent years, various motorcycle manufacturers have begun to explore and develop motorcycles with dual front wheels, which use the left and right front wheels arranged side by side, while the rear wheel is a single wheel. The left and right front wheels are both steering mechanisms, guiding the vehicle's direction at the same time. The overall center of gravity of the vehicle is more reasonable, and it is more stable when riding.

[0004] In Piaggio's patent application, publication number CN103153769, a tiltable motorcycle with two front steering wheels is disclosed. The motorcycle is equipped with a frame, two front steering wheels, and a steering tube rotatably connected to the frame and rigidly connected to a support assembly. Each support assembly is used for each steering wheel. The steering assembly includes a steering tube, two side pillars, and an upper front control arm, a lower front control arm, an upper rear control arm, and a lower rear control arm connected to the steering tube and the side pillars, respectively. The upper front control arm, lower front control arm, upper rear control arm, and lower rear control arm serve to support the motorcycle body. When the motorcycle is in motion, the upper front control arm, lower front control arm, upper rear control arm, and lower rear control arm rotate relative to the steering tube simultaneously with turning or road surface undulations, thereby ensuring the stability of the motorcycle body.

[0005] In terms of the overall support structure characteristics between the crossarm and the side pillars, they can be divided into two categories: upper parallelogram structure and lower parallelogram structure. In the upper parallelogram structure, the left and right front wheels are connected by the upper and lower crossarms and the left and right side pillars, forming a parallelogram structure that swings up and down in coordination. The left and right shock absorbers are located between the parallelogram structure and the left and right wheels, respectively, to buffer and attenuate the vibrations of their respective wheels caused by uneven ground.

[0006] The upper parallelogram structure is further divided into a four-horizontal-arm structure and a three-horizontal-arm structure. The four-horizontal-arm structure is that the upper front and rear horizontal arms and the lower front and rear horizontal arms are assembled into one piece to swing together. The three-horizontal-arm structure is that only the front horizontal arm is set in the upper part, which is assembled into one piece with the lower front and rear horizontal arms to swing together.

[0007] The existing support mechanisms of dual-front-wheel motorcycles are relatively complex in structure, with many parts, high assembly and processing requirements, and also require high maintenance costs.

[0008] In addition, when parking a dual-front-wheel motorcycle, the sway mechanism of the front wheel needs to be locked to ensure that it is in a flat and upright position. Existing locking devices generally use a combination of pins and a turntable to lock the front wheel. Locking requires aligning the pins with the pins on the turntable, which is cumbersome. Furthermore, existing technology cannot lock the shock absorbers in dual-front-wheel motorcycles. After locking, the shock absorbers are prone to deformation under external force, causing the vehicle to tip over. Moreover, locking the front wheel when parking on uneven roads can also easily cause it to tip over due to uneven support. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle.

[0010] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art is as follows:

[0011] The present invention relates to a front wheel support and steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle, comprising a main frame tube, a main shaft, a swing mechanism, a steering mechanism, and a support and shock-absorbing device. The main frame tube is fixedly connected to the frame. The main shaft passes coaxially through the main frame tube and is connected to the handlebars and the steering mechanism. The support and shock-absorbing device is connected to the swing mechanism, and a wheel is mounted at the lower end of the support and shock-absorbing device. The steering mechanism is driven by the handlebars to rotate and steer the wheel. The main frame tube is provided with an upper fixed seat, a lower fixed seat, and a reset fixed seat. The swing mechanism includes a single upper crossarm and a single lower crossarm, the middle portions of which are movably connected to the main frame tube. A fixed seat is fixedly mounted on the main frame tube, and a swing seat is fixedly mounted on the upper crossarm. The swing seat swings synchronously with the upper crossarm. A left swing hydraulic cylinder and a right swing hydraulic cylinder are provided between the fixed seat and the swing seat. The two hydraulic cylinders of the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are connected by hydraulic lines, and a swing switch valve is provided on the hydraulic lines.

[0012] The present invention may also employ the following technical measures:

[0013] The upper and lower ends of the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are hinged to the fixed seat and the swing seat, respectively; the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the frame.

[0014] The aforementioned support and damping device includes a left support and damping device and a right support and damping device. The left support and damping device includes a left support tube, a left support rod, a left support seat, a left damping rod, and a left wheel axle seat. The left support tube is hinged to the left ends of the upper and lower cross arms, respectively. The left support rod is coaxially and movably disposed inside the left support tube, and its lower end is fixedly connected to the left support seat. The upper and lower ends of the left damping rod are connected to the left support seat and the left wheel axle seat, respectively. The left front wheel is mounted on the left wheel axle seat. The right support and damping device includes a right support tube, a right support rod, a right support seat, a right damping rod, and a right wheel axle seat. The right support tube... The upper and lower crossarms are hinged to their respective right ends. The left and right support tubes are respectively provided with hinge seats at the connection positions of the upper and lower crossarms. The right support rod is coaxially and movably disposed inside the right support tube, and the lower end of the right support rod is fixedly connected to the right support seat. The upper and lower ends of the right shock absorber are respectively connected to the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat. The right front wheel is disposed on the right wheel axle seat. The steering device includes a steering linkage. The middle part of the steering linkage is movably connected to the main shaft. The left and right ends of the steering device are movably connected to the left support rod and the right support rod, respectively. When the main shaft is twisted, it drives the left support rod and the right support rod to rotate synchronously.

[0015] A left damping hydraulic cylinder is installed between the left support seat and the left wheel axle seat. The installation direction of the left damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the installation direction of the left damping rod. The left damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a left hydraulic pipeline, and a left damping switch valve is installed on the left hydraulic pipeline. A right damping hydraulic cylinder is installed between the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat. The installation direction of the right damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the installation direction of the right damping rod. The right damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a right hydraulic pipeline, and a right damping switch valve is installed on the right hydraulic pipeline.

[0016] The left and right shock absorber switch valves are the same shock absorber switch valve. After the left and right hydraulic lines merge, the same shock absorber switch valve controls the oil circuit connection between the hydraulic line and the cylinder.

[0017] The steering device further includes a main steering plate, a left steering plate, a right steering plate, a main steering seat, a left steering seat, and a right steering seat. The main steering plate is fixedly mounted on the lower end of the main shaft. The left steering plate is fixed to the left support rod, and the right steering plate is fixed to the right support rod. The main steering seat is hinged to the middle of the steering linkage. The main steering plate is hinged to the main steering seat. The left steering seat is hinged to the left end of the steering linkage. The right steering rod is hinged to the right end of the steering linkage. The left steering plate is hinged to the left steering seat, and the right steering plate is hinged to the right steering seat.

[0018] The axes of the main shaft, left support rod, and right support rod are parallel to each other, and the main steering plate, left steering plate, and right steering plate are perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft.

[0019] Multiple left shock absorbers are provided between the left support seat and the left wheel axle seat, and the left shock absorbers are arranged in parallel; multiple right shock absorbers are provided between the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat.

[0020] The left shock absorber rod, right shock absorber rod, left shock absorber hydraulic cylinder, and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinder are arranged in a direction parallel to the axis of the main shaft.

[0021] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are:

[0022] The front wheel support steering structure of the dual-front-wheel motorcycle of this invention adopts a single upper control arm and a single lower control arm structure, which is simpler in structure, has higher reliability in operation, is more convenient in assembly and processing, and is easier to maintain. A fixed seat is set on the main frame tube, and a swing seat fixed to the upper control arm is also set. A left swing hydraulic cylinder and a right swing hydraulic cylinder are set between the fixed seat and the swing seat. The parallelogram swing mechanism is locked by opening and closing the hydraulic lines between the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders, which makes it more stable when parked. In addition, the extension and retraction of the left and right shock absorber rods can be locked by the left and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinders, thereby providing effective support for the vehicle when parked and adapting to different parking environment requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit between the left and right sway hydraulic cylinders in the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit between the left and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinders in the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] In this invention, the directions of each component are all defined with the direction in which the motorcycle is moving forward normally as the forward direction, and the direction opposite to this direction is the rearward direction; the left and right directions in this invention correspond to the viewpoint of the driver located in the motorcycle driving position.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the front wheel support steering structure of the dual front wheel motorcycle of the present invention includes a main frame 1, a main shaft 2, a swing device, a steering device, and a support and shock absorption device. The main frame is fixedly connected to the frame. The main shaft passes coaxially through the main frame and is connected to the handlebars and the steering device. The upper end of the support and shock absorption device is connected to the swing device, and a wheel is provided at the lower end of the support and shock absorption device. The steering device is driven to rotate by the handlebars and drive the wheel to turn. The swing device includes a single upper crossarm 6 and a single lower crossarm 7. The middle parts of the upper crossarm and the lower crossarm are respectively movably connected to the main frame. A fixed seat 5 is fixedly provided on the main frame, and a swing seat 8 is fixedly provided on the upper crossarm. The swing seat swings synchronously with the upper crossarm. A left swing hydraulic cylinder 9a and a right swing hydraulic cylinder 9b are provided between the fixed seat and the swing seat. The two hydraulic cylinders of the left swing hydraulic cylinder 9a and the right swing hydraulic cylinder 9b are connected through hydraulic lines. A swing switch valve 21 is provided on the hydraulic lines.

[0033] The upper and lower ends of the left swing hydraulic cylinder 9a and the right swing hydraulic cylinder 9b are hinged to the fixed seat and the swing seat, respectively. When the swing switch valve is open, the hydraulic lines connecting the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are open, allowing the hydraulic oil in the two cylinders to flow between them. When the parallelogram swing mechanism, composed of the upper and lower cross arms and the support shock absorber, swings due to driver operation or driving conditions, the swing seat swings synchronously with the upper cross arm, causing changes in the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders. This results in one side of the swing hydraulic cylinder being compressed and shortened, allowing hydraulic oil to flow from that side's cylinder along the hydraulic lines into the other side's cylinder, causing the other side's swing hydraulic cylinder to extend. When the swing switch valve is closed, the hydraulic lines connecting the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are shut off, preventing the hydraulic oil in the two cylinders from flowing between them. The length of the two swing hydraulic cylinders cannot change, limiting the swing of the swing seat and thus locking the parallelogram swing mechanism, preventing it from swinging and ensuring the vehicle remains balanced and upright when locking. The left swing hydraulic cylinder, the right swing hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic oil circuit, and the swing switch valve together constitute the hydraulic locking structure of the parallelogram swing mechanism.

[0034] The left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are symmetrically arranged relative to the central axis of the frame. When swinging and locking, they can ensure that the forces on both sides are balanced, so that the upper cross arm is in a balanced initial state, which makes it easier for the vehicle body to stand upright.

[0035] The support damping device includes a left support damping device and a right support damping device. The left support damping device includes a left support tube 10a, a left support rod 11a, a left support seat 12a, a left damping rod 13a, and a left wheel axle seat 14a. The left support tube is hinged to the left ends of the upper and lower cross arms, respectively. The left support rod is coaxially and movably disposed inside the left support tube, and its lower end is fixedly connected to the left support seat. The upper and lower ends of the left damping rod are connected to the left support seat and the left wheel axle seat, respectively. The left front wheel is mounted on the left wheel axle seat. The right support damping device includes a right support tube 10b, a right support rod 11b, a right support seat 12b, a right damping rod 13b, and a right wheel axle seat. 14b, the right support tube is hinged to the right ends of the upper and lower cross arms respectively. The left and right support tubes are respectively provided with hinge seats 4 at the connection positions of the upper and lower cross arms. The right support rod is coaxially and movably disposed inside the right support tube, and the lower end of the right support rod is fixedly connected to the right support seat. The upper and lower ends of the right shock absorber are respectively connected to the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat. The right front wheel is disposed on the right wheel axle seat. The steering device includes a steering linkage 15. The middle part of the steering linkage is movably connected to the main shaft. The left and right ends of the steering device are movably connected to the left support rod and the right support rod respectively. When the main shaft is twisted, it drives the left support rod and the right support rod to rotate synchronously, thereby completing the steering action.

[0036] A left damping hydraulic cylinder 20a is installed between the left support seat and the left wheel axle seat. The installation direction of the left damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the installation direction of the left damping rod. The left damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a left hydraulic pipeline, and a left damping switch valve is installed on the left hydraulic pipeline. A right damping hydraulic cylinder 20b is installed between the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat. The installation direction of the right damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the installation direction of the right damping rod. The right damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a right hydraulic pipeline, and a right damping switch valve is installed on the right hydraulic pipeline. The left and right damping switch valves control the oil circuits corresponding to the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders, respectively. When the left and right damping switch valves are open, the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders are connected to the oil cylinders, allowing hydraulic oil to flow within them. The lengths of the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders can be changed according to actual working conditions, and the left and right damping rods can freely extend and retract and operate normally. However, when both the left and right damping switch valves are closed, the hydraulic oil within the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders cannot flow, the lengths of the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders cannot be changed, and the left and right damping rods are restricted by their respective hydraulic cylinders and cannot extend or retract freely, thus failing to operate normally. The operation of the left and right damping rods is locked and controlled through the left and right damping hydraulic cylinders.

[0037] The left and right damping switch valves can be the same damping switch valve 22. After the left and right hydraulic lines merge, the same damping switch valve controls the oil circuit connection with the cylinder 23, thus making the structure and oil circuit setup simpler and easier to use.

[0038] The steering device also includes a main steering plate 16, a left steering plate 17a, a right steering plate 17b, a main steering seat 18, a left steering seat 19a, and a right steering seat 19b. The main steering plate is fixedly mounted on the lower end of the main shaft. The left steering plate is fixed to the left support rod, and the right steering plate is fixed to the right support rod. The main steering seat is hinged to the middle of the steering linkage. The main steering plate is hinged to the main steering seat. The left steering seat is hinged to the left end of the steering linkage, and the right steering rod is hinged to the right end of the steering linkage. The left steering plate is hinged to the left steering seat, and the right steering plate is hinged to the right steering seat.

[0039] The axes of the main shaft, left support rod, and right support rod are parallel to each other, and the main steering plate, left steering plate, and right steering plate are perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft.

[0040] Multiple left shock absorber rods are installed between the left support and the left wheel axle, all arranged in parallel. Similarly, multiple right shock absorber rods are installed between the right support and the right wheel axle, all arranged in parallel. The stiffness of the left and right shock absorber rods can be increased separately, reducing the number of left or right shock absorber rods for the corresponding wheel on the same side. This can be achieved by replacing them with corresponding left and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinders, and adjusting the damping of the left and right shock absorber rods. This reduces the number of shock absorber rods and production costs, resulting in a simpler overall structure.

[0041] The left and right shock absorber rods, the left and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinders are positioned parallel to the axis of the main shaft.

[0042] The frame is not within the scope of this application, so it will not be described in detail. The parts of the frame in the attached drawings are only for positional reference.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the disclosed technical content without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, resulting in equivalent embodiments. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A front wheel support and steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle, comprising a main frame tube, a main shaft, a sway device, a steering device, and a support and shock-absorbing device, wherein the main frame tube is fixedly connected to the frame, the main shaft passes coaxially through the main frame tube and is connected to the handlebars and the steering device, the support and shock-absorbing device is connected to the sway device, and a wheel is provided at the lower end of the support and shock-absorbing device, and the steering device is driven by the handlebars to rotate and drive the wheel to turn, characterized in that... The main frame is equipped with an upper fixed seat, a lower fixed seat, and a reset fixed seat. The swing device includes a single upper cross arm and a single lower cross arm. The middle parts of the upper and lower cross arms are movably connected to the main frame. The main frame is fixedly equipped with a fixed seat, and a swing seat is fixedly equipped on the upper cross arm. The swing seat swings synchronously with the upper cross arm. A left swing hydraulic cylinder and a right swing hydraulic cylinder are provided between the fixed seat and the swing seat. The two hydraulic cylinders of the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are connected by hydraulic lines. A swing switch valve is provided on the hydraulic lines.

2. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower ends of the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are hinged to the fixed seat and the swing seat, respectively; the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the frame.

3. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The damping system includes a left damping device and a right damping device. The left damping device comprises a left support tube, a left support rod, a left support base, a left damping rod, and a left wheel axle seat. The left support tube is hinged to the left ends of the upper and lower crossarms. The left support rod is coaxially and movably mounted inside the left support tube, with its lower end fixedly connected to the left support base. The upper and lower ends of the left damping rod are connected to the left support base and the left wheel axle seat, respectively. The left front wheel is mounted on the left wheel axle seat. The right damping device comprises a right support tube, a right support rod, a right support base, a right damping rod, and a right wheel axle seat. The right support tube is divided into... The upper and lower crossarms are hinged to each other. The left and right support tubes are respectively provided with hinge seats at the connection positions of the upper and lower crossarms. The right support rod is coaxially and movably set inside the right support tube, and the lower end of the right support rod is fixedly connected to the right support seat. The upper and lower ends of the right shock absorber are respectively connected to the right support seat and the right wheel axle seat. The right front wheel is set on the right wheel axle seat. The steering device includes a steering linkage. The middle part of the steering linkage is movably connected to the main shaft. The left and right ends of the steering device are movably connected to the left support rod and the right support rod, respectively. When the main shaft is twisted, it drives the left support rod and the right support rod to rotate synchronously.

4. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 3, characterized in that: A left damping hydraulic cylinder is installed between the left support and the left wheel axle. The direction of the left damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the direction of the left damping rod. The left damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a left hydraulic line, and a left damping switch valve is installed on the left hydraulic line. A right damping hydraulic cylinder is installed between the right support and the right wheel axle. The direction of the right damping hydraulic cylinder is parallel to the direction of the right damping rod. The right damping hydraulic cylinder is connected to the oil cylinder through a right hydraulic line, and a right damping switch valve is installed on the right hydraulic line.

5. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The left and right shock absorber switch valves are the same shock absorber switch valve. After the left and right hydraulic lines merge, the same shock absorber switch valve controls the oil circuit connection with the cylinder.

6. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steering system also includes a main steering plate, a left steering plate, a right steering plate, a main steering seat, a left steering seat, and a right steering seat. The main steering plate is fixedly mounted on the lower end of the main shaft. The left steering plate is fixed to the left support rod, and the right steering plate is fixed to the right support rod. The main steering seat is hinged to the middle of the steering linkage. The main steering plate is hinged to the main steering seat. The left steering seat is hinged to the left end of the steering linkage. The right steering rod is hinged to the right end of the steering linkage. The left steering plate is hinged to the left steering seat, and the right steering plate is hinged to the right steering seat.

7. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The axes of the main shaft, left support rod, and right support rod are parallel to each other, and the main steering plate, left steering plate, and right steering plate are perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft.

8. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 7, characterized in that: Multiple left shock absorbers are installed between the left support and the left wheel axle, and the left shock absorbers are arranged in parallel; multiple right shock absorbers are installed between the right support and the right wheel axle.

9. The front wheel support steering structure for a dual-front-wheel motorcycle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The left and right shock absorber rods, the left and right shock absorber hydraulic cylinders are positioned parallel to the axis of the main shaft.

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