Motorcycle Footrest Docking Assembly for Carrying an Electric Scooter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycles are not easily transportable when riders need to use public transportation or have their motorcycles serviced, requiring additional means of transportation.
Innovation Solution
A scooter support assembly for motorcycles, featuring a step operating mechanism with a base member, pivot member, pivot shaft, and locking mechanism, allowing an electric scooter to be externally or internally mounted, transported, and charged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motorcycle is used for transportation, then mobility is improved, but the motorcycle cannot be transported when needed (e.g., on subway or to repair shop)
Solution Approach 1:
The electric scooter is nested within a docking cavity in the motorcycle's footrest assembly, allowing the scooter to be stored and transported on the motorcycle. The scooter docks into the footrest structure, with the pivot member receiving into the docking cavity and locking mechanisms securing the scooter in place during transport
2Adaptability or versatility
If a scooter support assembly is added to the motorcycle, then scooter mounting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a footrest for the motorcycle rider and a docking station for the electric scooter. The pivot member serves as both a structural component of the footrest and a receiving mechanism for the scooter. The locking mechanisms provide both footrest positioning and scooter securing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The scooter support assembly merges the footrest structure with the scooter mounting mechanism. The base member is supported by the motorcycle frame at the footrest location, and the pivot member both forms part of the footrest assembly and provides the docking interface for the scooter, combining two functions into one integrated structure
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to secure the scooter, then scooter fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms are designed to be self-actuating through spring-loaded clips that automatically engage with the scooter when it is docked in the footrest assembly. The spring clips apply continuous locking force without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, providing reliable fixation through simple elastic deformation
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
Enables convenient transportation of electric scooters with motorcycles, providing a multi-modal transportation solution and allowing for charging between vehicles, enhancing mobility and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot member may include a spring configured to apply a spring force to a base of the pivot member in a direction towards the pivot member of the base member
Data Source
AI summary
A motorcycle may include a step operating mechanism including a base member, a pivot member, a pivot shaft, and a locking mechanism. The base member may be supported by a first portion of a frame member. The pivot member may extend from the base member in a motorcycle width direction. The pivot member may pivot along a straight line orthogonal to the pivot shaft and may be configured to be received by a docking cavity of an associated electric scooter. The locking mechanism of the step operating mechanism may be configured to lock or fix a front portion of the associated electric scooter to the pivot member when the pivot member is received by the docking cavity of the associated electric scooter. The motorcycle may include a second locking mechanism supported by a second portion of the frame member.