Motorcycle Reverse Drive Transmission With Safe Bushing Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicles, particularly motorcycles, lack an efficient reverse drive system, making it difficult to maneuver them, especially when heavy or on uneven terrain, as existing solutions are costly, complex, or unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A transmission unit with a reverse drive electric motor, a control bushing, and a driven transmission bushing connected via an actuator, allowing for controlled engagement and disengagement of reverse drive, utilizing a gear train and safety system to prevent reverse drive activation during forward motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gear box similar to automotive industry is used for reverse drive, then reverse drive capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gear box system with an electric motor system. The reverse drive electric motor (21) directly drives the control bushing (47) through an auxiliary drive (22), eliminating the need for complex gear transmissions while achieving reverse drive capability. This substitution of mechanical system with electromechanical system resolves the contradiction between reverse drive capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft (23) of the driving wheel serves multiple functions: it transmits motion from the main drive for forward movement and also serves as the driven element for reverse drive when coupled with the driven transmission bushing (63). This multi-functionality allows the same mechanical component to serve both forward and reverse operations, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an auxiliary electric motor with reduction gear and flexible shaft is used, then reverse drive is enabled, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible shaft and intrinsically unsafe cardan shaft from the system. Instead, the reverse drive electric motor (21) is directly mounted on the case (17) and connected to the control bushing (47) through a rigid auxiliary drive (22), simplifying the mechanical connection and reducing system complexity while maintaining reverse drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse drive electric motor (21) and the auxiliary drive (22) are integrated directly into the transmission case (17), merging multiple components into a compact assembly. The control bushing (47) and driven transmission bushing (63) are coaxially arranged and integrated with the shaft (23), reducing the overall system bulk while enabling reverse drive.
3Reliability
If centrifugal masses are added for safety system, then reverse drive activation during forward motion is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system uses centrifugal masses (84) that automatically respond to the rotational speed of the shaft (23). When the shaft rotates in forward direction above a threshold speed, the centrifugal masses move outward due to centrifugal force and mechanically block the engagement between control bushing (47) and driven transmission bushing (63). This self-acting mechanism prevents accidental reverse drive activation during forward motion without requiring external sensors or control systems, achieving reliability while minimizing added 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
Enables safe and efficient reverse drive operation without the need for complex gear transmissions, reducing costs and improving maneuverability on various terrains.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation element can comprise an anchor, movable by effect of the electromagnetic force generated by the magnet
Implementation Method 2
The safety system comprises at least one centrifugal mass, and preferably a pair of centrifugal masses, rotating with the shaft of the driving wheel and movable radially with respect thereto, as a result of the centrifugal force
Data Source
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AI summary
The transmission unit (15) for motor vehicle (1) comprises a shaft (23) of the driving wheel, operatively connected to a main drive (19, 97) to control forward drive, and a reverse drive electric motor (21). The transmission unit further comprises a control bushing (47) rotated by the reverse drive electric motor (21), and a driven transmission bushing (63), operatively connected to the shaft (23) of the driving wheel. An actuator (121) is provided for controlling mutual coupling between the control bushing (47) and the driven transmission bushing (63) to transmit the motion of the reverse drive electric motor (21) to the shaft (23) of the driving wheel.