Articulated Two-Wheeled Vehicle Frame for Single Arc Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-wheeled vehicles require counter-steering and leaning to initiate turns, which can lead to uneven centripetal forces and increased friction during turning, and result in a dual arc turn path.
Innovation Solution
An articulated frame assembly with a joint connecting the front and rear frame sub-assemblies allows independent steering of the front and rear wheels, enabling a single arced turn path without counter-steering and more even centripetal forces by allowing angular displacement of the front frame relative to the rear through roll and yaw angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single unibody frame is used with fixed rear section, then structural simplicity is maintained, but turning performance deteriorates due to requiring counter-steering and leaning
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into a rigid rear section and a movable front section connected by an articulated joint. This segmentation allows the front section to move independently relative to the rear section, enabling the vehicle to turn without requiring counter-steering or leaning, thus improving turning operation while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated joint introduces dynamic movement capability to the frame structure, allowing the front section to rotate and translate relative to the rear section during turning. This dynamic configuration enables smoother turning operations and better handling while keeping the overall frame structure relatively simple
2Reliability
If counter-steering is used to initiate turns, then turning is enabled in conventional vehicles, but centripetal forces become uneven and friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frame into movable front and rigid rear sections connected at an articulated joint, the vehicle can turn through coordinated movement of the front section without requiring counter-steering. This eliminates the harmful friction and uneven centripetal forces that occur during counter-steering operations while maintaining turning stability
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated joint mechanism automatically coordinates the movement of the front section during turning, eliminating the need for counter-steering input from the rider. The system self-regulates the turning motion to maintain even centripetal forces and reduce friction
3Length of moving object
If conventional frame configuration is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but turning distance increases due to dual arc turn path
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated joint connects the front and rear frame sections, enabling the front section to move independently during turning. This segmentation allows the vehicle to follow a single arced turn path rather than a dual arc path, reducing turning distance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic movement capability provided by the articulated joint allows the front section to adjust its position during turning, optimizing the turn radius and reducing the overall turning distance. This dynamic configuration maintains ease of manufacture while improving turning efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Articulated two-wheeled vehicles have front and rear frame sub-assemblies connected together by an articulated frame joint configured to enable directional and angled counter-action of front and rear wheels or skis.