Motorcycle Passenger Step Inclining Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorcycles lack the ability to dynamically adjust step positions in response to acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations, which can lead to suboptimal riding postures for both drivers and passengers, affecting comfort and control during various riding conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a step operating mechanism that adjusts the position and inclination of footrests in response to acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations, using a control unit to pivot and incline the steps to optimize the riding posture, allowing the footrest surface to become inclined, thereby improving knee grip and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If step positions are fixed to maintain riding posture, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different traveling statuses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to traveling statusVSAvoidstep position adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The step position is changed from fixed to dynamically adjustable based on vehicle traveling status. The step inclining mechanism allows the footrest surface to pivot and change inclination angle in response to acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations, enabling the step to adapt to different riding conditions while maintaining structural feasibility through controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inclination angle parameter of the step is changed dynamically according to vehicle operating conditions. The control unit adjusts the step inclination angle based on detected acceleration, deceleration, and turning status, allowing the same physical step structure to provide optimal riding posture for different traveling statuses without requiring multiple fixed positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If step inclination is adjusted to improve knee grip, then riding comfort is improved, but mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveknee grip capabilityVSAvoidstep inclining mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The step inclining mechanism transforms the static step into a dynamic component that can pivot and adjust its inclination angle. This allows the footrest surface to tilt and present an optimized angle for knee grip during acceleration, deceleration, and turning, improving riding comfort and control without requiring complex manual adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The step inclining mechanism operates automatically based on vehicle traveling status detection. The control unit receives input from sensors detecting acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations, and autonomously adjusts the step inclination angle without requiring manual intervention from the rider, making the system user-friendly despite its mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If step position changes dynamically, then riding posture suitability is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveriding posture adaptationVSAvoidstep position control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle traveling status through sensors detecting acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations. Based on this feedback information, the control unit automatically adjusts the step inclination angle to maintain optimal riding posture, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing riding conditions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical step position adjustment mechanisms with a more streamlined system that uses electronic control and sensing. Instead of multiple fixed step positions requiring complex mechanical switching, the system uses a single adjustable step with electronic control of its inclination angle, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3002191B1Saddle-type vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3002191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3002191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3002191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle includes a step operating mechanism (82) that is adapted to change the position of a passenger step (81), and an ECU which is adapted to carry out a step inclining control to change the position of the passenger step (81) so that a footrest surface (81A) of the passenger step (81) may become an inclined surface in which the position of a vehicle body outside is raised toward a vehicle body upper side relative to the position of a vehicle body inside in response to at least any of an acceleration operation, a deceleration operation, and a turn operation to the motorcycle.