ATV Steering Shaft Support Isolating Bearing Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all terrain vehicles experience degraded steering feel and suspension operation due to direct transmission of external forces from the road surface to the differential gear case, which affects the bearing coupled to the steering shaft, leading to rotational resistance and vibration-induced reactive forces during off-road driving.
Innovation Solution
The steering shaft is supported by a bearing coupled to a steering shaft support member integrated with the vehicle's frame members, isolating the bearing from direct external forces, allowing smoother operation and improved steering and suspension feel during off-road driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bearing is coupled to the differential gear case, then the structure is compact and simple, but external forces from the road surface are directly transmitted to the bearing, causing rotational resistance and degrading steering feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into separate components: the differential gear case and the steering shaft support member are distinct elements coupled to the frame. This segmentation isolates the bearing from direct external force transmission paths while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering shaft support member acts as an intermediary component between the frame and the bearing. It provides a dedicated mounting structure that isolates the bearing from direct road surface forces, mediating the force transmission path to improve steering feel.
2Device complexity
If the bearing is coupled to the differential gear case, then the structure is simplified, but reactive forces from differential gear case vibrations are transmitted to the bearing, degrading suspension operation feel
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the steering shaft support member from the differential gear case, the patent creates independent vibration isolation zones. This segmentation prevents vibration-induced reactive forces from being transmitted to the bearing, improving suspension operation feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering shaft support member serves as a vibration-isolating intermediary, decoupling the bearing from the differential gear case vibrations. This mediator structure filters out harmful vibratory forces while maintaining structural support.
3Ease of operation
If the bearing is isolated from direct external forces, then steering feel and suspension operation are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft support member is integrated with the frame structure, merging the support function into the existing frame design. This approach achieves force isolation without adding completely separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An all terrain vehicle includes a steering shaft to which a handle is coupled, a pair of right and left frame members extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, at both sides in a width direction of the vehicle body, a steering shaft support member provided over and coupled to the pair of right and left frame members, and a bearing configured to rotatably couple a lower portion of the steering shaft to the steering shaft support member.