Motorcycle Reverse Gear Automatic Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reverse gear systems for motorcycles require manual operation of the shifter to engage and disengage the reverse gear, leading to inconvenient shifting during high-speed backward driving or when engine brakes are activated, causing inadvertent shifting to the retracted position.
Innovation Solution
A reverse gear system with an idler gear constantly engaged with the countershaft-side gear, a shifter for rotating the idler gear between engagement and separation positions, and a holding unit to maintain the shifter in the forward position, allowing automatic resetting of the reverse gear system to the ON position without manual operation when torque differences between the main and countershafts decrease below a certain value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shifter is manually operated to disengage the reverse gear when torque difference occurs, then the reverse gear can be released, but the rider must manually re-engage the shifter, causing loss of time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The idler gear is designed to automatically disengage from the main-shaft-side gear when torque difference occurs, without requiring manual shifter operation. The system serves itself by using the torque difference to automatically move the idler gear out of engagement, eliminating the need for rider intervention and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback through the idler gear's automatic disengagement mechanism. When torque difference occurs during reverse driving, the force automatically moves the idler gear to disengage from the main-shaft-side gear, creating a feedback loop that responds to operating conditions without manual input.
2Ease of operation
If the idler gear is firmly held in engagement position, then the reverse gear remains engaged, but inadvertent shifting occurs when torque difference is applied, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to maintain the shifter in the forward position under normal operating conditions, but automatically release when torque difference occurs. This dynamic design enables the system to adapt to changing load conditions, remaining engaged during normal reverse driving but disengaging when torque difference is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding unit changes its holding force parameter based on operating conditions. Under normal conditions, it maintains strong holding force to prevent inadvertent shifting. When torque difference occurs, the parameter changes to allow automatic disengagement, transitioning from a static holding mechanism to a condition-responsive one.
3Ease of operation
If the shifter is automatically reset to forward position, then convenience is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic resetting function is merged with the existing holding unit and idler gear mechanism. Rather than adding a separate automatic resetting system, the invention integrates the automatic reset capability into the existing holding unit, which already maintains the shifter in the forward position. This merging approach improves ease of operation without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reverse gear system for a motorcycle includes a shifter for rotatably supporting the idler gear, locating the idler gear in a separation position to disengage the idler gear from the main-shaft-side gear when the shifter is set in a retracted position, and for locating the idler gear in an engagement position to engage the idler gear with the main-shaft-side gear when the shifter is set in a forward position; and a holding unit for provisionally holding the shifter selectively in a state with the shifter being set in the retracted position and in a state with the shifter being set in the forward position. The idler gear is combined with the shifter so that the idler gear has a shaft member formed thereon so as to be rotatably inserted in bearing apertures formed in the shifter. The bearing apertures are formed so as to have a length along a shifting direction of the shifter, the length being larger than a diameter of the shaft member.