Front Two-Wheeled Vehicle Lean Brake Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing configuration of front two-wheeled vehicles cannot be easily switched between allowing and preventing the leaning of the vehicle body, limiting convenience.

Innovation Solution

A front two-wheeled vehicle design that includes a lean mechanism and a lean brake system, where the lean brake has components fixed to the frame, reducing relative movement and simplifying the configuration for operating the lean brake, allowing for easier control of vehicle body leaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lean mechanism is designed to allow free leaning of the vehicle body, then the ease of operation for leaning is improved, but the ability to prevent leaning when needed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of leaningVSAvoidswitchability between leaning and preventing leaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lean mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the vehicle body to lean freely under normal conditions through the parallel link mechanism. The system transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic controllable state, enabling switching between free leaning mode and braked leaning mode based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lean brake mechanism changes the physical state of the lean mechanism by applying friction force through the brake caliper to the brake disc. This parameter change (from no friction to friction applied) allows switching between free leaning and prevented leaning states, providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the lean brake components are made movable to allow leaning, then the ease of leaning is improved, but the complexity of the operating configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of leaningVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lean brake system is segmented into distinct components: the brake disc fixed to the moving lean mechanism, and the brake caliper fixed to the frame. This segmentation allows the braking function to be independent from the leaning motion, simplifying the overall configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the brake components movable with the lean mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by fixing the brake components to the frame while allowing the lean mechanism to move freely. This inversion simplifies the brake operating configuration while maintaining leaning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the lean brake components are fixed to the frame, then the configuration simplicity is improved, but the amount of wire expansion and contraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidwire length variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A wire guide groove is introduced as an intermediary element between the movable lean mechanism and the fixed brake components. This groove guides the wire along a predetermined path, accommodating the relative movement and managing wire expansion and contraction while maintaining the fixed configuration of brake components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3957556A1Front two-wheeled vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD
  • EP3957556A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957556A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957556A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a front two-wheeled vehicle in which the ease of leaning of a vehicle body can be operated. [Solution] A first front wheel provided by a front two-wheeled vehicle is located on a first side in a vehicle width direction, and a second front wheel is located on a second side in the vehicle width direction. The lean mechanism leans the first front wheel and the second front wheel in a front view in conjunction with the vehicle body leaning in the front view. When the handle is operated, the first front wheel turns around a first turning shaft located on the first side, and the second front wheel turns around a second turning shaft located on the second side. The lean brake for braking the lean mechanism includes a to-be-braked member and a caliper. The caliper contacts the to-be-braked member and brakes it. Any one of the to-be-braked member and the caliper is fixed to the frame.