Leaning Vehicle Steering Shaft Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaning vehicles face a size increase issue near the steerable front wheels due to interference between the leaning drive mechanism, steering mechanism, and leaning mechanism, leading to increased overall vehicle size.
Innovation Solution
The leaning drive mechanism is strategically positioned to overlap with the steering shaft in the up-down direction, allowing for a more compact layout that avoids unnecessary arrangement of non-leaning components, thereby suppressing the size increase near the steerable front wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the leaning drive mechanism, steering mechanism, and leaning mechanism are arranged separately to avoid interference, then the mechanisms can function independently, but the vehicle size increases in the vicinity of the steerable front wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the leaning drive mechanism with the steering mechanism by integrating the leaning drive mechanism into the steering shaft assembly. The leaning drive mechanism is positioned within the steering shaft's up-down direction space, allowing both mechanisms to occupy the same spatial envelope without interfering with each other's functionality. This integration eliminates the need for separate arrangement of the mechanisms, thereby suppressing vehicle size increase while maintaining functional independence through proper spatial positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the up-down direction dimension of the steering shaft to position the leaning drive mechanism. Instead of arranging mechanisms in the front-back or left-right directions where interference would occur, the leaning drive mechanism is placed in the vertical dimension, overlapping with the steering shaft in the up-down direction. This dimensional repositioning allows compact layout without compromising the functional independence of the steering and leaning mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If the leaning drive mechanism is positioned to overlap with the steering shaft in the up-down direction, then the vehicle size is reduced, but the layout becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steering shaft into distinct functional regions: the upper portion for steering operation and the lower portion for the leaning drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and positioned independently within its designated zone, simplifying the overall layout process despite the compact arrangement. The steering mechanism and leaning drive mechanism are separated into different vertical zones, reducing layout complexity while achieving size reduction.
3Reliability
If additional space is allocated for non-leaning components, then interference between mechanisms is avoided, but the overall vehicle size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the leaning drive mechanism within the steering shaft assembly, similar to a nested doll structure. The leaning drive mechanism is positioned inside the spatial envelope of the steering shaft, utilizing the vertical space that would otherwise be unused. This nesting arrangement allows both mechanisms to coexist without requiring additional external space, avoiding interference while preventing vehicle size increase. The compact nested layout eliminates the need for separate allocation of space for non-leaning components.
Data Source
AI summary
A leaning vehicle includes a vehicle body; a rear wheel; a left arm mechanism; a left steerable front wheel; a right arm mechanism; a right steerable front wheel; a leaning mechanism; a leaning drive mechanism; and a steering mechanism. The leaning drive mechanism is disposed between any one of a left-right arm connection mechanism, the left arm mechanism and the right arm mechanism and the vehicle body. A rear end of the leaning drive mechanism is disposed at a rear side of a lower end of a steering shaft in the front-back direction of the vehicle body. A front end of the leaning drive mechanism is disposed at a front side of an upper end of the steering shaft. At least a portion of the leaning drive mechanism is disposed at a down side of the steering shaft in the up-down direction of the vehicle body.