Rolling Vehicle Front Wheel Steering Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses for vehicles with lateral swinging capabilities, such as rolling type vehicles, fail to regulate the turning angle of front wheels in accordance with the roll angle (bank angle), leading to inadequate control and potential interference between the wheels and the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
A rolling type vehicle design featuring swingable arm members and knuckle members with a regulating mechanism, including a cam and roller system, that adjusts the turning angle of the front wheels based on the swinging angle, ensuring the turning angle can be varied with the roll angle, thereby preventing interference and maintaining control during banking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional steering apparatus with fixed stopper is used, then the structure is simple, but the turning angle of front wheels cannot be regulated according to the roll angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stopper position adjustable relative to the arm member. The stopper is configured to be movable along the arm member, allowing its position to change dynamically based on the roll angle. This enables the turning angle limitation to adapt to different vehicle attitudes during rolling operations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving adaptive turning angle regulation.
2Reliability
If the turning angle is fixed regardless of roll angle, then the control system is simple, but interference between wheels and vehicle body occurs during banking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by pre-configuring the stopper position on the arm member according to different roll angles before the actual turning operation. The stopper is positioned in advance to limit the turning angle appropriately for the current vehicle attitude, preventing potential interference between wheels and vehicle body during banking. This ensures reliable control by preparing the limitation mechanism before the maneuver is executed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a regulating mechanism is added to vary turning angle with roll angle, then adaptability improves, but friction and contact resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a low-friction interface between the stopper and the arm member. The stopper is designed to contact the arm member at a specific point that minimizes friction, allowing smooth adjustment of the turning angle limitation without significant energy loss. This intermediary contact mechanism enables adaptability while keeping friction losses minimal.
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 allows for precise regulation of the turning angle of the front wheels relative to the roll angle, enhancing control and preventing interference between the wheels and the vehicle body, while maintaining smooth operation and reducing friction during contact.
Implementation Method 1
a cam (61) adapted to regulate the turning angle in conjunction with a variation in the swinging angle
Implementation Method 2
a roller (62a) capable of rolling along an outer circumference (61a) of the cam (61)
Data Source
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AI summary
To regulate the turning angle of the front wheel according to a roll angle (bank angle), in a rolling type vehicle which has a pair of left and right front wheels and in which a vehicle body is capable of lateral swinging, or rolling. The rolling type vehicle has the pair of left and right front wheels (2L) and has the vehicle body capable of rolling. The rolling type vehicle includes: a pair of left and right arm members (21 and 23) which are supported in a swingable manner by the vehicle body on inner sides in the transverse direction and which support the left and right front wheels (2L) in a steerable manner on outer sides in the transverse direction; and a pair of left and right knuckle members (26L) which are supported by transversely outer end portions (21c and 23c) of the left and right arm members (21 and 23) in a swingable manner and which are steered together with the left and right front wheels (2L), respectively. Regulating means (60) for regulating the turning angle of each front wheel (2L) is provided between the transversely outer end portion (21c and 23c) of at least one of the left and right arm members (21 and 23) and the knuckle member (26L) supported by the transversely outer end portion (21c and 23c).