Motorcycle Clutch Assist Device Spring Arm Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riders find it difficult to operate a motorcycle clutch with a high-biasing load spring due to increased torque requirements, as the manual operation of the clutch lever becomes strenuous, especially with high-power, high-revolution engines.
Innovation Solution
A clutch assist device that replaces the traditional pivot screw with a longer shaft, incorporating a spring arm and biasing device, which applies an off-center biasing force opposite to the handle squeezing force to ensure disengagement when not squeezed, and adjusts assistive force via a spring tension screw, allowing linear torque increase and maintaining original rotational angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the biasing load of the clutch spring is increased to increase torque capacity, then the torque capacity of the clutch is improved, but the manual operation of the clutch lever becomes difficult and strenuous
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch assist device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the rider's hand and the clutch lever. This device includes a clutch wire connected to a clutch operating mechanism that provides mechanical assistance. The assist device acts as a mediator that amplifies the rider's input force while maintaining control, enabling operation of high-torque clutches without excessive manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional direct mechanical connection between the clutch lever and clutch operating mechanism is replaced with a assisted mechanical system. The clutch assist device incorporates a cable-pulley or linkage mechanism that substitutes the purely manual mechanical system with one that includes mechanical advantage elements, reducing the direct force requirement from the rider.
2Device complexity
If a traditional pivot screw with bearing is used for the clutch handle, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide assistive force during clutch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot screw structure is merged with additional assistive mechanisms. The clutch handle assembly integrates the original pivot screw with a clutch wire connection point and assist device linkage. This merging allows the simple pivot structure to retain its low-complexity advantages while incorporating the functionality of the clutch assist device to provide operational assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot screw assembly is transformed into a multi-functional component. It continues to serve as the rotational pivot for the clutch handle while also serving as a mounting point for the clutch assist device and as part of the force transmission path. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to maintain simplicity while enabling assistive operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the manual force required to operate the clutch while preventing engagement when not squeezed, providing assistance throughout the clutch operation without altering the rotational angles or interfering with hand guards, enhancing rider comfort and operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
squeezing the clutch handle causes the biasing device to move past top dead center about the central longitudinal axis so that the biasing device applies an auxiliary torque to torque applied by squeezing the clutch handle
Implementation Method 2
a spring arm arranged for rotation or pivoting inside a housing
Implementation Method 3
a biasing device coupled at one end thereof to an axle of the spring arm and at an opposite end thereof to a spring adaptor... applies an off-center biasing force opposite to the handle squeezing force
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A motorcycle clutch assist device (10) including a spring arm (18) arranged for rotation or pivoting inside a housing (22), a biasing device (36) coupled at one end thereof to an axle (34) of the spring arm (18) and at an opposite end thereof to a spring adaptor (38), and a shaft (13), one end of which is fixed to the spring arm (18) and an opposite end of which is fixable to a clutch handle (2), such that the clutch handle (2) rotates about a central longitudinal axis of the shaft (13) and squeezing the clutch handle (2) transfers torque to the spring arm (18) via the shaft (13), wherein when the biasing device (36) is aligned with the central longitudinal axis no torque is applied by the biasing device (36), and squeezing the clutch handle (2) causes the biasing device (36) to move past the central longitudinal axis so that the biasing device (36) applies an auxiliary torque to torque applied by squeezing the clutch handle (2).