Motorcycle Shift Actuator Isolation via Body Frame Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges in reducing vehicle size due to the placement of the shift actuator, which is vulnerable to engine heat and vibration and requires space between the engine and body frame, affecting the vehicle's compactness and driver posture.
Innovation Solution
The shift actuator is mounted to the body frame, positioned opposite the transmission with the body frame in between, using a shift-power transmission member to couple with the shift mechanism, thereby isolating it from engine heat and vibration and allowing for a more compact and non-overlapping arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the shift actuator is disposed behind the engine and directly on the engine, then the shift actuator can be directly coupled to the transmission, but the shift actuator is vulnerable to the heat and vibration of the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator is extracted from the engine area and relocated to the body frame. The patent describes moving the shift actuator from its conventional position behind the engine to a new position on the body frame, thereby separating it from the harmful thermal and vibrational environment of the engine while maintaining its functional coupling to the transmission through a power transmission member.
Solution Approach 2:
A power transmission member is introduced as an intermediary element to connect the shift actuator on the body frame to the transmission. This mediator allows the shift actuator to remain isolated from engine heat and vibration while still effectively controlling the transmission, resolving the contradiction between physical separation and functional coupling.
2Ease of operation
If the shift actuator is disposed between the engine and the body frame, then the shift actuator can be positioned to access transmission components, but a space for the shift actuator is needed between the engine and the body frame, thus posing the problem of difficulty in reducing the size of the entire vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator is relocated from a position between the engine and body frame to a position on the body frame itself. This dimensional repositioning allows the actuator to access transmission components through the power transmission member while eliminating the need for dedicated space between the engine and body frame, thereby reducing overall vehicle volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into two separate components: the shift actuator mounted on the body frame and the transmission component, connected by a power transmission member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned without requiring overlapping space, reducing the overall vehicle footprint while maintaining functional connectivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shift actuator is mounted to the body frame and disposed apart from the transmission with the body frame disposed therebetween, then the shift actuator is isolated from engine heat and vibration, but the shift actuator requires a shift-power transmission member to couple with the shift mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A shift-power transmission member is used as an intermediary to connect the shift actuator on the body frame to the shift mechanism in the transmission. This intermediary element transmits the actuating force from the isolated shift actuator to the transmission components, maintaining functional coupling while preserving thermal and vibrational isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional direct mechanical coupling with a transmitted mechanical coupling system. Instead of rigidly mounting the shift actuator to the transmission, a power transmission member (which could be a flexible or telescopic mechanism) is used to transmit mechanical force over a distance, reducing the complexity of direct mounting while maintaining effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to reduce the influences of engine heat and vibration on a shift actuator, a shift actuator is disposed apart from the engine and the transmission on a vehicle. In particular a straddle-type vehicle, the vehicle includes a head pipe and a body frame including a main frame that extends rearward from the head pipe. The engine is suspended by the body frame 2 and a transmission is disposed next to the engine. The transmission includes a shift mechanism having a multiple-step speed change gear and a clutch mechanism that interrupts the transmission of rotation at the switching of the speed change gear of the transmission 40. An automatic transmission control unit operates the clutch mechanism and switches the speed change gear of the transmission automatically. The automatic transmission control unit includes the shift actuator which is mounted to the body frame and is disposed opposite to the transmission with the body frame therebetween, as viewed from the side of the vehicle, for operating the shift mechanism. A shift rod joins together the shift mechanism and the shift actuator.