Motorcycle Windshield Adjustment Device Using Cable-Driven Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield adjustment devices for motorcycles are prone to jamming due to contamination and require complex mechanisms, making them heavy, costly, and difficult to operate and lock in place.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight adjustment device with a windshield holder connected to a support structure via a crank and linear guide, utilizing a pivot bearing arrangement with three parallel axes for linear and pivoting movement, and a self-locking rotary drive with a worm gear system for easy adjustment and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If guide rails with sliding blocks are used for windshield adjustment, then the windshield can be adjusted in height and inclination, but the sliding blocks tend to jam due to contamination by dust and particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding block and guide rail mechanical system with a cable-driven system. The cable runs through a guide opening in the fairing and connects to the windshield support, eliminating sliding blocks that are prone to jamming. This substitution maintains adjustment capability while significantly improving reliability by removing the contamination-sensitive sliding interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanisms are used for windshield adjustment, then adjustment functionality is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary mechanical components from traditional adjustment mechanisms. By removing sliding blocks, guide rails, and complex linkages, only the essential elements remain: a cable, a reel, and a guide opening. This extraction dramatically reduces the weight of the adjustment device while preserving the core adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing structure serves multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic coverage, structural support, and houses the guide opening for the cable. The reel assembly serves both as a cable tensioning mechanism and as the adjustment control interface. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components, thereby reducing overall weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanisms are used for windshield adjustment, then adjustment is possible, but the device becomes difficult to operate and lock in position
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-driven system with reel provides self-locking capability through friction between the cable and reel drum. When the reel is rotated to adjust the windshield position, the cable tension naturally maintains the position without requiring separate locking mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the adjustment force to maintain the adjusted position, eliminating the need for complex locking operations.
4Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are added to secure windshield position, then positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-reel system inherently provides positioning security through frictional engagement. The cable wraps around the reel drum, creating sufficient friction to hold the windshield in any adjusted position without additional locks. The system uses its own operational mechanism (cable tension) to provide the locking function, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall complexity.
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 device allows for simple, reliable, and cost-effective adjustment of windshield height and inclination, ensuring secure positioning without additional locking mechanisms and minimizing weight and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary drive with a worm drive and a gear wheel that engages in the worm drive and is non-rotatably coupled to the slider crank
Implementation Method 2
The pivot bearing arrangement is designed to linearly and pivotably connect the windshield holder to the linear guide
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustment device (10) for adjusting a windscreen of a vehicle, in particular of a motorcycle, is proposed, with a windscreen holder (11a, 11b) which is connectable to the windscreen, a carrier structure (12) which is fastenable on the vehicle, a slider crank (13), wherein the slider crank (13) is connected to the carrier structure (12) in a pivotable manner about a first pivot axis (A) and to the windscreen holder (11a, 11b) in a pivotable manner about a second pivot axis (B), and a linear guide (14), wherein the windscreen holder (11a, 11b) is guided by means of a pivot bearing arrangement (15) in a linearly movable manner in a longitudinal direction of the linear guide and is pivotable about a third pivot axis (C), wherein the first pivot axis (A), the second pivot axis (B) and the third pivot axis (C) are oriented parallel to one another. Furthermore, a windscreen arrangement with a corresponding adjustment device and a vehicle with said windscreen arrangement are described.