Leaning Vehicle Frame Pivot Mechanism for Turn Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leaning vehicles with three ground engaging members face weight reduction issues on the inside front ground engaging member during turns, which existing systems fail to fully compensate, affecting handling and stability.
Innovation Solution
A leaning vehicle design featuring a pivotable frame relative to a shock tower, with biasing members applying forces to the shock tower to maintain contact and stability through suspension assemblies and shock absorbers, ensuring even weight distribution during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the frame pivots into the turn during a lean, then the vehicle achieves motorcycle-like handling experience, but the weight on the front ground engaging member on the inside of the turn is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member applies a force to the shock tower that counteracts the weight reduction on the inside front ground engaging member during turns. This counterbalancing force ensures that even when the frame leans into the turn, the inside front ground engaging member maintains adequate contact weight with the ground, resolving the contradiction between achieving motorcycle-like handling and maintaining reliable weight distribution.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the shock tower remains vertical during frame lean, then the front shock absorbers are not compressed, but the weight reduction on the inside front ground engaging member is not fully compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is pre-configured to apply force to the shock tower before and during the turn. This preliminary action ensures that as the frame begins to lean, the biasing member is already exerting the necessary counterbalancing force on the shock tower to compensate for weight reduction on the inside front ground engaging member, rather than waiting for the lean to occur.
3Reliability
If biasing members are added to apply force to the shock tower, then weight distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is integrated into the existing suspension system architecture, serving multiple functions: it pre-loads the suspension, provides continuous force during turns, and works in conjunction with the shock absorber. This multi-functionality approach minimizes the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving reliable weight distribution.
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
Enhances the handling and stability of leaning vehicles by maintaining contact and distributing weight evenly across all ground engaging members during turns, improving the overall driving experience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing member connected to the frame, the at least one biasing member being adapted to apply a first force to the shock tower when the frame pivots relative to the shock tower
Implementation Method 2
The first force is transferred to the front left ground engaging member by the shock absorber of the front left suspension assembly to apply a second force having a downward component to the front left ground engaging member
Implementation Method 3
front left suspension assembly and a front right suspension assembly operatively connected to the front portion of the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to a shock tower, at least one biasing member connected to the frame, front left and right suspension assemblies each having a shock absorber connected to the shock tower, two front ground engaging members, a rear suspension assembly, and a rear ground engaging member. The at least one biasing member applies a first force to the shock tower when the frame has pivoted relative to the shock tower. When the frame pivots left, a force is transferred to the front left ground engaging member by the left shock absorber to apply a force having a downward component to the front left ground engaging member. When the frame pivots right, a force is transferred to the front right ground engaging member by the right shock absorber to apply a force having a downward component to the front right ground engaging member.