Motorcycle Actuator Arrangement via Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle designs with automatic manual transmission (AMT) or dual clutch transmission (DCT) face challenges in flexibly arranging actuators around the engine due to the need for the clutch and shift actuators to be positioned near their respective mechanisms, limiting space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The motorcycle configuration includes a clutch mechanism at one end of the counter shaft, a clutch actuator for disconnection/connection, a shift mechanism below the counter shaft, and a shift actuator arranged opposite to the shift mechanism in the front and rear direction with the clutch actuator interposed, allowing flexible positioning and utilization of space. This configuration uses a link mechanism with orthogonal pillow balls and arranges the link rod inside the clutch actuator to improve maintenance efficiency and cooling of the actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the clutch actuator and shift actuator are arranged in the vicinity of the clutch mechanism and shift mechanism via a worm gear, then the clutch and shift operations can be performed, but the actuators cannot be arranged by flexibly utilizing the space around the engine
Solution Approach 1:
A link mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component to connect the shift actuator with the shift mechanism. This link mechanism includes a link rod that can transmit motion over a distance, allowing the shift actuator to be positioned away from the shift mechanism while still performing the required function. The link mechanism effectively mediates between the spatial separation and the functional connection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space around the engine by arranging the shift actuator in a different spatial location than the shift mechanism, connected via the link mechanism. This allows flexible positioning of actuators in available spaces that would not be accessible if direct coupling was required, effectively using another dimension of spatial arrangement.
2Ease of repair
If the link rod is arranged outside the clutch actuator, then the link mechanism can connect the shift actuator and shift mechanism, but the link rod interferes with the maintenance operation of the clutch actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The link rod is arranged to pass through the interior space of the clutch actuator, nesting the link mechanism within the clutch actuator's volume. This arrangement allows the link rod to connect the shift actuator and shift mechanism while utilizing the existing space within the clutch actuator, thereby avoiding interference with maintenance operations as the link rod is concealed inside rather than protruding outward.
3Area of stationary object
If the actuators are arranged close to the engine, then the space around the engine is utilized, but the actuators are affected by heat from the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator is extracted from the immediate vicinity of the engine and positioned in a separate location connected via the link mechanism. This spatial separation extracts the actuator from the harmful thermal environment while still utilizing the overall engine bay space, allowing the actuator to be positioned in a cooler area that is still part of the engine's surrounding space.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a motorcycle. A crankshaft extends in a width direction of the motorcycle. A counter shaft is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft. A clutch mechanism is arranged at one end of the counter shaft and is configured to transmit and disconnect rotation of the crankshaft to and from the counter shaft. A clutch actuator is configured to perform a disconnection/connection operation of the clutch mechanism. A shift mechanism is arranged below the counter shaft and is configured to shift and transmit the rotation of the crankshaft to a driving wheel. A shift actuator is configured to perform a shift operation of the shift mechanism. The shift actuator is arranged opposite to the shift mechanism in a front and rear direction of the motorcycle with the clutch actuator being interposed therebetween.