Micromobility Steering Assembly With Integrated Brace for Lower Mass

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Micromobility transit vehicles face challenges with steering assemblies that are bulky and heavy due to the need to accommodate varying loads, necessitating a design that reduces mass and packaging volume.

Innovation Solution

A steering assembly design featuring a fork, a steer tube, a stiffening brace, and a stem connected via a planar shear joint, with a preload assembly and lock triangle for secure rotation and adjustment, reducing mass and packaging volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the steering assembly is designed to accommodate varying load requirements, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the mass and packaging volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering assembly strengthVSAvoidsteering assembly mass

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stem and stiffening brace into a single integrated component that performs multiple functions: providing structural strength to handle varying loads while reducing overall mass. The merged structure eliminates the need for separate reinforcement elements, achieving load-bearing capability without increasing packaging volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the steering assembly is designed to accommodate varying load requirements, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the packaging volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering assembly strengthVSAvoidsteering assembly packaging volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the stem and stiffening brace into one compact component reduces the overall packaging volume while maintaining the structural strength needed to accommodate varying load requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffening brace is strategically positioned and shaped to provide localized reinforcement exactly where needed to handle varying loads, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire steering assembly. This localized approach minimizes material usage and packaging volume while achieving the required strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If complementary engagement surfaces are used to rotationally lock the stem and stiffening brace, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational locking reliabilityVSAvoidengagement surface precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The complementary engagement surfaces are designed to self-align and self-lock during assembly, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing. The geometry of the engagement surfaces automatically ensures proper rotational locking without requiring complex alignment procedures or tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260021863A1Steering assembly for micromobility transit vehicles

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 LYFT INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a micromobility transit vehicle may include a steering assembly. The steering assembly may include a steer tube configured to rotate within a headtube of the micromobility transit vehicle, and a stiffening brace positioned about the headtube. A stem may be coupled to the steer tube and the stiffening brace and configured to rotationally lock the stem and stiffening brace together. A cockpit housing is coupled to the stem to conceal one or more of an engagement of the stem with the steer tube or the engagement of the stem with the stiffening brace.