Leaning Vehicle Indicator Mount Reinforcement Against Breakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The service life of functionally integrated indicator lights in tilting vehicles, particularly those attached to unsprung and undamped components, is compromised due to the risk of breaking off during operation.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement means is fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle component, contacting the lighting unit's base section transversely and surrounding it circumferentially, providing support and reinforcement, especially in the base section, to prevent breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lighting unit is fixed to an unsprung and undamped vehicle component, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and service life of the lighting unit deteriorate due to increased risk of breaking off
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcement element is introduced as an intermediary component between the lighting unit and the vehicle component. This mediator provides additional support and load distribution, enabling reliable mounting on unsprung components without requiring complex mounting structures. The reinforcement element has a coupling section that connects to the lighting unit and a receiving section that attaches to the vehicle component, effectively bridging the gap between the lightweight lighting unit and the dynamic vehicle component.
2Strength
If the reinforcement means contacts the lighting unit base section transversely and surrounds it circumferentially, then the strength and support of the lighting unit is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is divided into functionally distinct sections: a coupling section that interfaces with the lighting unit base section and a receiving section that attaches to the vehicle component. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural efficiency. The coupling section provides circumferential support and transverse contact, while the receiving section provides the mounting interface, distributing the complexity across specialized segments.
3Manufacturing precision
If the reinforcement means is fixed to the receiving section and contacts the coupling surface transversely to the joining direction, then the manufacturing precision and fit are improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is designed with self-aligning features where the coupling section automatically positions itself relative to the lighting unit base section during assembly. The circumferential contact and transverse engagement create self-centering effects that ensure proper alignment without requiring precision manual adjustment. This self-service mechanism maintains high manufacturing precision while simplifying the assembly process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a leaning vehicle (2), having at least one vehicle component (4), such as a swing arm (6) or handlebar, which has a receiving portion (8), having at least one illumination unit (10) which comprises a head portion (12), in which or on which at least one indicating means (14) is arranged, and which comprises a foot portion (16) and which comprises a joining portion (18) which is arranged on the foot portion (16) and which runs parallel to the receiving portion (8) of the vehicle component (4) and with which the illumination unit (10) is secured on the receiving portion (8) of the vehicle component (4), wherein the illumination unit (10) can be secured on the receiving portion (8) along a joining direction (20) running transversely or obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the leaning vehicle (2), and wherein the illumination unit (10) comprises its longest extent in a direction parallel to the joining direction (20), and having at least one reinforcing means (22) which is secured on the receiving portion (8) of the vehicle component (4), wherein said reinforcing means lies at least in sections transversely to the joining direction (20) against a coupling surface (24) of the foot portion (16) of the illumination unit (10) so as to be in surface contact with said coupling surface, and wherein said reinforcing means surrounds the foot portion (16) at least in sections circumferentially.