Rocking Vehicle Lock Mechanism Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rocking vehicles face challenges in compactly disposing the rocking lock mechanism, which affects the vehicle's stiffness and space utilization.

Innovation Solution

The rocking lock mechanism is positioned between the head pipe and the main frame, with a disk plate fixed to the rocker arm and a caliper fixed to the body frame, allowing for compact placement while ensuring rocking space and improving stiffness through the use of upper and lower main frames and a bifurcated-shaped main frame portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the rocking lock mechanism is disposed forward of the head pipe, then the rocking lock mechanism can be installed, but the vehicle frame stiffness is reduced and space utilization is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation of rocking lock mechanismVSAvoidvehicle frame stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the rocking lock mechanism from the traditional forward position to the space between the head pipe and main frame, utilizing previously underutilized vertical and longitudinal space dimensions. This dimensional repositioning allows the mechanism to be installed without compromising frame stiffness, as it no longer interferes with the forward structural integrity of the vehicle frame.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the rocking lock mechanism is disposed forward of the head pipe, then the rocking lock mechanism can be installed, but the space utilization of the vehicle frame is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation of rocking lock mechanismVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rocking lock mechanism is nested within the space between the head pipe and main frame, utilizing the existing structural voids in the vehicle frame. This nesting approach allows the mechanism to be accommodated within the frame's internal geometry rather than adding external bulk, thereby optimizing space utilization while maintaining installation feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the rocking lock mechanism is disposed between the head pipe and main frame, then the vehicle frame stiffness is improved, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle frame stiffnessVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The main frame is segmented into upper and lower portions, with the rocking lock mechanism installed in the space between them. This segmentation allows for modular assembly, where the mechanism can be positioned in the intermediate space without requiring complete disassembly of the frame structure, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining frame stiffness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the disk plate is disposed between the head pipe and main frame, then the rocking space is ensured, but the arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverocking spaceVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disk plate is positioned at a specific location between the head pipe and main frame where sufficient radial clearance exists. This localized positioning ensures adequate rocking space for the disk plate's rotational movement while avoiding interference with other components. The arrangement leverages the natural clearance in this specific region, minimizing overall complexity while ensuring operational freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3069979B1Rocking vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3069979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3069979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a rocking vehicle in which a rocking lock mechanism can be compactly disposed. The rocking vehicle includes: a body frame (11) that includes a head pipe (13), and a main frame (14) extending rearwardly from the head pipe (13); an upper arm (29) that is rockably supported by the body frame (11); a lower arm (30) that is disposed below the upper arm (29) and rockably supported by the body frame (11); side members (34) to which end portions (62 and 63) of the upper arm (29) and end portions (52) of the lower arm (30) are turnably coupled; a rocker mechanism (64) that is configured from a rocker arm (28) and the side members (34), the rocker arm (28) being composed of the upper arm (29) and the lower arm (30); and a rocking lock mechanism (90) that locks the rocker mechanism (64) against rocking, wherein the rocking lock mechanism (90) is at least partially disposed between the head pipe (13) and the main frame (14).