Rotatable Collar for Straddled Vehicle Rear Bracket Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straddled vehicles face difficulties in easily replacing rear wheels of different widths without requiring changes to the seat frame, as the existing bracket system is not adaptable to accommodate varying wheel sizes, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a collar system with cylindrical portions of varying diameters between bracket plates allows for the adjustable positioning of the rear cushion unit's upper support portion, enabling easy switching between narrower and wider rear wheels without altering the seat frame's shape, by changing the collar's orientation to align the first cylindrical portion outward or inward in the vehicle width direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket is replaced or its shape is changed to accommodate a wider rear wheel, then the rear cushion unit can be repositioned outward in the vehicle width direction, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed to be rotatable about the vertical axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the upper support portion's position in the vehicle width direction. This enables the same bracket structure to adapt to different rear wheel widths without physical replacement or modification, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The collar includes cylindrical portions with different outer diameters that can be oriented in different directions. By changing the orientation parameter of the collar, the position of the upper support portion is adjusted to match different rear wheel widths, achieving adaptability without increasing bracket complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket shape is changed to accommodate a wider rear wheel, then the rear cushion unit position can be shifted outward, but the manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing different bracket shapes for different wheel widths, the invention uses a single bracket structure with a rotatable collar that can be dynamically adjusted. This eliminates the need for multiple bracket variants, reducing manufacturing cost and improving ease of manufacture while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The collar structure serves multiple functions: it positions the upper support portion, allows rotation for adjustment, and accommodates different wheel widths through its multi-diameter cylindrical portions. This universal design eliminates the need for specialized brackets for each wheel width, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rear wheel is replaced with a wider wheel, then the vehicle performance is improved, but the seat frame rigidity may be compromised without proper force transmission design
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as an intermediary between the upper support portion and the bracket plates. It transmits forces from the rear cushion unit to the seat frame while allowing position adjustment. The collar's rigid structure ensures proper force transmission path is maintained regardless of the rear wheel width, preserving seat frame rigidity while enabling wheel replacement
Data Source
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AI summary
A straddled vehicle is provided whose rear wheel can easily be replaced with a rear wheel of a different width than that of the rear wheel. The straddled vehicle includes a first bracket plate 31 and a second bracket plate 32 provided on a left seat frame 13L, and a collar 35 placed between the first bracket plate 31 and the second bracket plate 32. The collar 35 includes a first cylindrical portion 35a, and a second cylindrical portion 35b having a diameter greater than that of the first cylindrical portion 35a. An upper support portion 8A of a rear cushion unit 8 is supported on the first cylindrical portion 35a of the collar 35. The orientation of the collar 35 can be changed. When the first cylindrical portion 35a is located outward of the second cylindrical portion 35b in a vehicle width direction, the first cylindrical portion 35a is located on a vertical line 13V that passes through a center 13Lc of the left seat frame 13L in a vertical cross section that includes a center line 35c of the collar 35.