Motorcycle Transmission Potentiometer Shift Drum Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motorcycle transmissions with resistive contact sensors face issues with noise in signal output due to incorrect contact states, leading to delayed stabilization of gear position detection, which affects timely ignition adjustments during gear shifts.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system utilizing a potentiometer to detect the rotational angle of the shift drum, with a determiner to assess signal outputs within predetermined bands, reducing noise and enabling immediate gear position determination and appropriate ignition timing adjustments with fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a resistive contact sensor is used to detect the rotational angle of the shift drum, then the gear position can be detected, but noise is generated in the signal output due to incorrect contact state, causing delayed stabilization of the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based resistive contact sensor with a non-contact optical detection system. The optical sensor detects the rotational angle of the shift drum through optical patterns or markers without physical contact, thereby eliminating noise caused by incorrect contact states and achieving immediate signal stabilization upon gear position change.
2Loss of time
If additional components such as load cell and amplifier are added to detect gear position changes, then the gear position can be determined immediately, but the transmission becomes expensive and the number of components to be maintained increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical detection system serve multiple functions: it detects both the absolute rotational angle of the shift drum and the changes in gear position simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate load cells and amplifiers, reducing component count while maintaining immediate gear position determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (load cell and amplifier) by integrating their detection functions into the optical detection system. The optical sensor directly provides both absolute position and position change information, removing the need for additional sensing components and signal amplification hardware.
3Productivity
If the gear position is determined immediately after shift drum rotation starts, then the engine can conform to upshifted gear position conditions, but noise in the signal prevents accurate determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the noise-prone mechanical contact sensor with a non-contact optical detection system that provides clean, immediate signals. The optical sensor accurately detects the shift drum's rotational angle from the moment rotation begins, enabling immediate and accurate gear position determination for proper engine control during upshifts.
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
The system stabilizes signal outputs quickly after gear shifts, allowing for timely ignition adjustments and reducing the number of ignition events or retarding ignition timing, while minimizing component count.
Implementation Method 1
a potentiometer configured to detect a rotational angle of the shift drum
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission configured to change a gear position by rotation of a shift drum operative in association with an operation of a change pedal, including a potentiometer configured to detect a rotational angle of the shift drum; and a determiner configured to determine a gear position based on whether or not a value of a signal output from the potentiometer falls within a determination band having a predetermined range.