Leaning Vehicle Shock Tower Layout for Tire Positioning Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaning vehicles face challenges in increasing the degree of freedom regarding the positions of tires in the vehicle body frame while maintaining the size reduction of the shock absorber tower and link mechanism, and enhancing the rigidity of the support mechanism for the shock absorber tower.
Innovation Solution
The shock absorber tower is positioned further forward or backward in the vehicle-body-frame direction than the arm-member supported parts, avoiding interference and allowing for a reduction in size and increased design freedom of the mechanism, with a focus on maintaining rigidity through tensile load characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shock absorber tower is positioned between the arm-member supported parts, then the mechanism size is reduced and rigidity is enhanced, but the degree of freedom regarding tire positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber tower is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (between arm-member supported parts) to a vertical arrangement (above or below them in the vehicle-body-frame up-down direction). This dimensional change allows the tower to occupy space in the vertical dimension rather than the horizontal dimension, thereby increasing freedom in tire positioning while maintaining compact mechanism size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shock absorber tower is repositioned to increase tire positioning freedom, then adaptability is improved, but the rigidity of the support mechanism may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the shock absorber tower to the vertical dimension (above or below arm-member supported parts), the patent maintains structural rigidity through the vertical support path while freeing up horizontal space for enhanced tire positioning flexibility. The tower's vertical orientation preserves its load-bearing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism is segmented into distinct vertical and horizontal functional zones: the shock absorber tower handles vertical load support in the up-down direction, while the arm-member supported parts handle horizontal positioning. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising overall rigidity or adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the shock absorber tower is positioned to avoid interference with arm members, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the mechanism size may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber tower is relocated to the vertical dimension (above or below arm-member supported parts), utilizing the up-down direction to avoid horizontal interference with arm members during movement. This dimensional separation eliminates the need for complex interference-clearance designs while maintaining compact overall mechanism volume.
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
This configuration allows for increased freedom in tire positioning, reduced mechanism size, and maintained rigidity of the support mechanism for the shock absorber tower, facilitating easier design modifications and interference avoidance.
Implementation Method 1
The shock absorber tower is supported by the vehicle body frame so as to rotate around a tower central shaft that extends in the vehicle-body-frame front-back direction
Implementation Method 2
The left arm mechanism swings in the vehicle-body-frame upward direction when the vehicle body frame leans in the leaning-vehicle leftward direction, and swings in the vehicle-body-frame downward direction when the vehicle body frame leans in the leaning-vehicle rightward direction
Implementation Method 3
The left shock absorber has a cushioning action. A first end part of the left shock absorber is connected to the upper-left arm member or the lower-left arm member
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention to provide a leaning vehicle in which the degree of freedom regarding the positions of tires in the vehicle body frame can be increased while also reducing the size of a mechanism that includes a shock absorber tower and a link mechanism and maintaining the rigidity of a support mechanism for the shock absorber tower in the vehicle body frame. In a leaning vehicle 1 according to the present invention, a shock absorber tower (57) is disposed further forward in a vehicle-body-frame (21) frontward direction f than an upper-left-arm-member supported part (511) at which an upper-left arm member (51) to which a first end part (331) of a left shock absorber (33) is connected is supported by the vehicle body frame (21), and an upper-right-arm-member supported part (531) at which an upper-right arm member (53) to which a first end part (341) of a right shock absorber (34) is connected is supported by the vehicle body frame (21).