Handlebar Clamping Structure for High-Position Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional handlebar fixing structures face challenges in securing attachment rigidity while maintaining high vibration absorbency, especially when the handlebar post is elongated to position the handlebar higher, leading to increased load on elastic members and reduced rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A handlebar fixing structure with a clamper system that includes first and second clamper members orthogonally disposed across the handlebar post, using elastic members for support, and a bolt with abutting faces that receive axial force effectively, allowing the handlebar to be positioned high with enhanced vibration absorbency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the handlebar post is elongated upwardly to position the handlebar higher, then the handlebar attachment height is increased, but the load by bending moment on the elastic member increases and attachment rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar post lengthVSAvoidattachment rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-point elastic support to a distributed multi-point support system. By introducing multiple elastic members arranged in the vehicle widthwise direction, the support distributes across multiple dimensions, reducing the bending moment load on each individual elastic member while maintaining overall attachment rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple elastic members and multiple clamper members into an integrated support system. The first and second clamper members work together with multiple elastic members to provide both rigidity through the clamper structure and vibration absorption through the distributed elastic elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the elastic member is made harder to secure attachment rigidity, then attachment rigidity is improved, but vibration absorbency is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment rigidityVSAvoidvibration absorbency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the single elastic support function into multiple elastic members distributed across the vehicle widthwise direction. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rigidity through the collective structure while each individual elastic member can maintain softer properties for vibration absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handlebar support system is designed to simultaneously fulfill multiple functions: the clamper members provide rigid clamping, the elastic members provide both structural support and vibration isolation, and the distributed arrangement provides both rigidity and shock absorption. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction between rigidity and vibration absorbency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If the handlebar post is simply elongated upwardly, then the handlebar can be attached higher, but the load on the elastic member increases and the attachment rigidity becomes less likely to be secured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar post lengthVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses the reliability issue by distributing the support function across multiple elastic members arranged in the vehicle widthwise direction, rather than relying on a single elastic member. This multi-dimensional distribution reduces the load on each individual member and enhances overall attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple elastic members with multiple clamper members into an integrated support system that provides both rigidity and reliability. The combined structure ensures that the handlebar attachment remains reliable even when the handlebar post is elongated to higher positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 structure enables high-position handlebar attachment with improved vibration absorbency and axial force reception, while allowing for easy adjustment and maintainability of the steering damper apparatus, and flexibility in handlebar and hydraulic chamber configuration.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (72) being interposed between the first clamper member (81) and the handlebar post (60) and between the second clamper member (82) and the handlebar post (60)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first clamper member (81) and the second clamper member (82) being coupled with each other by a bolt (59) and having abutting faces (86, 93) for abutting with each other so as to receive axial force of the bolt (59)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2979965B1Handlebar fixing structure
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2979965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979965B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a handlebar fixing structure which allows a handlebar to be attached to a high position and has high vibration absorbency. A handlebar fixing structure includes a handlebar 30, a handlebar post 60 supported above a steering system 35, and a handlebar clamper 61 for fixing the handlebar 30 to the handlebar post 60. The handlebar clamper 61 includes a first clamper member 81 and a second clamper member 82 disposed so as to sandwich a cylindrical portion 71 of the handlebar post 60 and the handlebar 30 from a direction orthogonal to the vehicle widthwise direction. An elastic member 72 is interposed between the first clamper member 81 and the handlebar post 60 and between the second clamper member 82 and the handlebar post 60. The first clamper member 81 and the second clamper member 82 are coupled with each other by a bolt 59 and have abutting faces 86 and 93 for abutting with each other so as to receive axial force of the bolt 59.