Electric Reverse Gear Train for Low-Speed Motorcycle Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized vehicles, particularly large and heavy motorcycles, are difficult to manually maneuver due to their size and weight, necessitating a parking assist drive system that can propel the vehicle in reverse direction at slow speeds.
Innovation Solution
A motorized vehicle is equipped with a multi-speed transmission, a reverse drive system, and a clutch mechanism that allows for selective engagement between a driven gear and an idler shaft, enabling the vehicle to be propelled in reverse direction using an electric motor, while a forward drive system operates using an internal combustion engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle is made large and heavy for better stability and carrying capacity, then the vehicle's stability and load capacity are improved, but the ease of manual maneuvering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pushing with an electric motor-driven reverse propulsion system. The electric motor (150) connects through a reverse gear train (110) and clutch (130) to the transmission's idler shaft (78), converting electrical energy to mechanical propulsion force that moves the vehicle backward without manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle serves itself by using its own electric motor and reverse drive system to propel itself backward. The operator simply activates the reverse drive control, and the vehicle's integrated powertrain components (electric motor, reverse gear train, clutch, transmission) automatically execute the maneuvering function without external pushing or towing.
2Ease of operation
If a reverse drive system is added to enable backward propulsion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reverse drive system with the existing transmission system by connecting the electric motor through the reverse gear train directly to the transmission's idler shaft. This integration allows the reverse propulsion function to share common components (transmission housing, idler shaft, gear meshing) with the forward drive system, reducing overall complexity compared to a separate reverse drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The idler shaft (78) and transmission system serve dual functions: they transmit power from the internal combustion engine during forward motion and from the electric motor during reverse motion. The clutch (130) provides selective engagement, allowing the same transmission components to handle both forward and reverse power transmission paths, eliminating the need for dedicated reverse-only components.
3Ease of operation
If the driven gear is freely rotatable relative to the shaft when clutch is disengaged, then the ease of operation is improved for neutral position, but the reliability of power transmission deteriorates when engagement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clutch mechanism where the dog ring (138) can axially move along the adapter (134) to change the engagement state. When disengaged, the dog teeth (198) are spaced from dog recesses (202), allowing free rotation of the driven gear (114) relative to the idler shaft (78) for neutral positioning. When engaged, the dog teeth mesh with the dog recesses to create a rigid connection for reliable power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the electric motor reverse drive system and the transmission. The dog ring with movable dog teeth serves as the mediating component that selectively connects or disconnects power flow. This intermediary allows the system to transition smoothly between free rotation (neutral) and locked engagement (power transmission) states without direct mechanical constraint.
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
The system facilitates easy maneuvering of large motorcycles by allowing them to be propelled in both forward and reverse directions at low speeds without manual effort, enhancing operational flexibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to drive the motorized vehicle in the reverse direction
Implementation Method 2
The clutch includes an adapter secured to the end of the shaft for co-rotation with the shaft, and a dog ring secured to the adapter for co-rotation with the adapter. The dog ring being axially movable along the adapter and having a plurality of dog teeth. The driven gear includes a plurality of dog recesses configured to be engaged by the dog teeth.
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission having a plurality of forward gears configured to be selectively engaged to drive the motorized vehicle, an internal combustion engine selectively coupled to the transmission, and a reverse drive system selectively coupled to the transmission to provide torque to drive the motorized vehicle in a reverse direction. The reverse drive system includes an electric motor and a reverse drive gear train configured to be selectively coupled to the transmission. The transmission includes a neutral position in which the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the transmission and freely rotatable relative to the transmission. The reverse drive gear train is configured to be operably coupled to the transmission when the transmission is in the neutral position, such that the reverse drive system is operable to drive the motorized vehicle in the reverse direction without interference from the internal combustion engine.