Electric Reverse Drive Gear Train for Heavy Motorcycle Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large and heavy motorized vehicles, such as motorcycles, pose a challenge for operators to manually maneuver them due to their size and weight, necessitating a parking assist drive system that can efficiently propel the vehicle in reverse directions at slow speeds.
Innovation Solution
A motorized vehicle equipped with a multi-speed transmission, a reverse drive system, and a clutch mechanism that allows the vehicle to be propelled in reverse by an electric motor, enabling the vehicle to be rotated in a reverse direction when the clutch is engaged, while allowing free rotation when disengaged, thus facilitating easy maneuvering without manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the vehicle is made large and heavy to provide sufficient power and stability, then the vehicle's power and stability are improved, but the ease of manual maneuvering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's drive system is segmented into two independent systems: a forward drive system powered by an internal combustion engine and a reverse drive system powered by an electric motor. This segmentation allows the heavy vehicle to be maneuvered in reverse without requiring manual physical effort, as the electric motor provides independent propulsion capability separate from the main engine.
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the electric motor and the transmission system. This clutch selectively engages or disengages the electric motor from the transmission, allowing the operator to activate reverse propulsion only when needed for maneuvering, while maintaining the independence of the two drive systems.
2Ease of operation
If a reverse drive system is added to enable reverse propulsion, then the ease of reverse maneuvering is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse drive system merges several components into a compact integration: the electric motor is directly coupled to a drive gear that meshes with the transmission's idler shaft. The clutch mechanism is integrated between the electric motor and the transmission system. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite adding reverse propulsion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor serves multiple functions: it provides reverse propulsion when engaged through the clutch, and can potentially serve as a starter motor for the internal combustion engine. The clutch mechanism serves dual purposes by selectively engaging the electric motor with the transmission for reverse operation and by isolating the two drive systems to prevent interference. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
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 solution enables efficient and effortless maneuvering of large motorized vehicles in both forward and reverse directions, particularly useful for parking and low-speed operations, without the need for manual handling, enhancing operational convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a drive gear configured to be rotated by an electric motor to impart rotation on the driven gear
Implementation Method 2
The clutch includes an adapter secured to the end of the shaft for co-rotation with the shaft, and a dog ring secured to the adapter for co-rotation with the adapter. The dog ring being axially movable along the adapter and having a plurality of dog teeth. The driven gear includes a plurality of dog recesses configured to be engaged by the dog teeth.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motorized vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission having a plurality of forward gears configured to be selectively engaged to drive the motorized vehicle, an internal combustion engine selectively coupled to the transmission, and a reverse drive system selectively coupled to the transmission to provide torque to drive the motorized vehicle in a reverse direction. The reverse drive system includes an electric motor and a reverse drive gear train configured to be selectively coupled to the transmission. The transmission includes a neutral position in which the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the transmission and freely rotatable relative to the transmission. The reverse drive gear train is configured to be operably coupled to the transmission when the transmission is in the neutral position, such that the reverse drive system is operable to drive the motorized vehicle in the reverse direction without interference from the internal combustion engine.