Saddle Vehicle Main Step with Biasing and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The main step of a saddle riding vehicle projects in the vehicle width direction when developed, making it difficult to accommodate compactly and handle, especially as it may be unintentionally retracted due to disturbances during vehicle banking.
Innovation Solution
A main step structure with a fixing member, a step pin, a biasing member, and an operating member that includes a contact section and an engaging mechanism to consciously accommodate the main step by switching between engaged and disengaged states, allowing the main step to be held in an accommodated position through a controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the main step is developed to allow easy foot placement, then ease of operation is improved, but compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The main step is designed to be rotatable between a developed position (protruding laterally for easy foot placement) and an accommodated position (retracted toward the vehicle body for compactness). This dynamic repositioning allows the step to adapt its state based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compactness.
2Ease of operation
If the main step is developed during vehicle banking, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates due to unintentional retraction
Solution Approach 1:
A return spring is pre-installed to bias the main step toward the developed position. This preliminary counteracting force prevents the main step from being unintentionally retracted during vehicle banking or disturbances, maintaining stability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An operating member with an engaging mechanism provides a simple, reliable means to consciously lock the main step in the developed position. This mechanical solution ensures the step remains stable during banking without requiring complex control systems, preventing unintentional retraction while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Volume of moving object
If the main step is accommodated for compactness, then volume is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The main step can be dynamically positioned in either an accommodated state (retracted for compactness) or a developed state (protruding for ease of operation). The system allows conscious switching between these states through the operating member, enabling the user to select the appropriate configuration based on current needs.
4Volume of moving object
If the main step is held in accommodated state without conscious operation, then compactness is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring pre-biases the main step toward the developed position, creating a stable equilibrium that prevents unintentional retraction. This preliminary counteracting force ensures the main step remains reliably in the developed state during normal operation and vehicle banking, eliminating false accommodation events.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member with its engaging mechanism provides a simple, fail-safe means to consciously control the main step position. This mechanical locking system ensures that the main step can only be accommodated when deliberately operated, preventing unintentional accommodation while maintaining compactness when needed.
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 main step can be consciously and securely accommodated, improving compactness and handleability, preventing unintentional retraction, and allowing easy operation of the stand and step floors even when the main steps are in an accommodated position.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the main step in a developing direction around an axis of the step pin toward a developed position
Data Source
AI summary
The main step structure for the saddle riding vehicle includes a fixing member, a step pin, a main step, and a biasing member that biases the main step in a developing direction. The main step structure includes an operating member supported to be rotatable relative to the main step. The operating member is provided with a contact section that makes contact with the fixing member. An engaging mechanism that can switch between an engaged state and a disengaged state of the main step and the operating member is provided. In the case where the main step is moved to an accommodated position and the operating member is made to make contact with the fixing member, the engaging mechanism puts the main step and the operating member into an engaged state.