Motorcycle Windscreen Height Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle windscreens with adjustable heights are difficult for drivers to adjust solo and without dismounting, require two hands, and are exposed to atmospheric agents, making them cumbersome and prone to malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A windscreen design with a sliding connection body and a locking/unlocking device protected from dust and mud, allowing single-handed height adjustment using a control element that engages with a rack and pinion mechanism, enabling easy and ergonomic height adjustment while seated on the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a pair of support elements with locking mechanisms is used to securely support the windscreen, then the windscreen stability is improved, but the operation complexity increases requiring two hands and dismounting the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindscreen stabilityVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into two independent support elements, each with its own locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each element to be adjusted and locked independently, maintaining stability while simplifying the adjustment process so that not both elements need to be manipulated simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cable mechanism acts as an intermediary between the activation unit and the locking elements. When the driver pulls the activation unit, the cable transmits this force to both locking elements simultaneously, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining the stability provided by the dual support element system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the support elements are exposed to atmospheric agents for structural simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to impeded sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidsliding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable mechanism serves as a protected intermediary that transmits the activation force from the activation unit to the locking elements without the locking elements themselves needing to be exposed. The cable runs through protected pathways, shielding it from atmospheric agents while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional effect of the locking mechanism is replicated through the cable transmission system, allowing the locking elements to be positioned in protected environments while still achieving the same locking function through the cable-mediated force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the activation unit is positioned on the outer surface of the windscreen, then the ease of operation is improved for single-handed adjustment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The activation unit serves multiple functions: it is the control interface for the driver, the force transmission origin through the cable, and the mechanical trigger for both locking elements simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each support element, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables simple, one-handed adjustment of the windscreen height without dismounting, providing efficient resistance to wind forces and protection from environmental elements, enhancing usability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a thrust element or compression spring which is interposed between this support portion and said locking element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A windscreen design with a sliding connection body and a locking/unlocking device protected from dust and mud, allowing single-handed height adjustment using a control element that engages with a rack and pinion mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion: Rack and Pinion

Data Source

PatentEP3992065B1Improved windscreen with an adjustable height for a motorcycle
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 DUCATI MOTOR HLDG
  • EP3992065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3992065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3992065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A windscreen with an adjustable height for a motorcycle, which windscreen can be associated with a front part of the vehicle, comprises a support portion (7) which is secured on this front part, a transparent portion (5) which is movable relative to the support portion, and movement means (25) which can allow the height of this transparent portion (5) to be varied relative to the support portion (7). The movement means (25) comprise a body (27) which is movable in a guided manner inside a seat (26) of the support portion (7) and is integral with the transparent portion (5) of the windscreen, said movable body (27) comprising lateral movable coupling elements (32) which can cooperate with consecutive and adjacent seats present at different heights on the sides of the seat (26) of the support portion (7), said coupling elements (32) being controlled by a release unit (34) and being subjected to the thrust action of resilient elements (58) which can thrust these lateral coupling elements (32) inside the seats of the elements in the support portion (7), in order to lock said transparent portion (5) at different heights relative to the support portion (7).