Power Steering Motor Nesting in All-Terrain Buggy Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power steering systems for all-terrain buggy vehicles face challenges in protecting the power assist motor from obstacles on irregular ground and securing sufficient space for a long cushion stroke, as the motor is often positioned above the frame or between the suspension and body frame, limiting its protection and cushion stroke space.

Innovation Solution

The power steering system positions the power assist motor inside the body frame, with its rotary shaft perpendicular to the steering shaft, and locates it rearward of the steering shaft and front wheel suspension, ensuring it is surrounded by frame members for protection and minimizing weight concentration on the front wheels, thus enhancing protection and maintaining vehicle height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power assist motor is arranged above the frame member to enhance protectability, then protection against stones and obstacles is improved, but the space for cushion stroke is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotectability of power assist motorVSAvoidspace for cushion stroke
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power assist motor is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the frame) to a horizontal arrangement (inside the body frame between front and rear wheels), utilizing the lateral space within the frame structure. This dimensional change allows the motor to be protected by the frame while simultaneously providing adequate space for the cushion stroke mechanism to operate vertically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the power assist motor is disposed above the front arm of suspension to secure space, then cushion stroke space is improved, but protection against obstacles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for cushion strokeVSAvoidexposure to obstacles
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power assist motor is nested within the body frame structure, positioned between the front and rear wheels. The frame members act as a protective enclosure, surrounding the motor and shielding it from obstacles encountered during travel on irregular ground, while the motor's positioning within this nested structure maintains adequate clearance for suspension movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the power assist motor is positioned inside the body frame, then protection from obstacles is improved, but weight concentration on front wheels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from obstaclesVSAvoidweight concentration on front wheels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power assist motor is positioned asymmetrically within the body frame, specifically between the front and rear wheels rather than directly over the front axle. This asymmetric placement distributes the motor's weight more evenly across the vehicle's wheelbase, reducing the concentration of weight on the front wheels while maintaining protection within the frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS7610132B2Power steering system for all-terrain buggy vehicle
Publication Date: 2009.10.27 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • US7610132B2 patent drawing
  • US7610132B2 patent drawing
  • US7610132B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power steering system of an all-terrain buggy vehicle is provided to protect a power assist motor against obstacles encountered during traveling on the irregular ground, or the like. In a power steering system of a four-wheeled buggy vehicle in which a steering shaft rotated in response to the operation of a handlebar is disposed forward of an engine located at the almost-middle in the back-and-forth direction of a body frame, and the rotary shaft of a power assist motor is disposed perpendicular to the steering shaft, the power assist motor is located inside the body frame.