Saddle Vehicle Swing Lock Mechanism for Braking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saddle riding type vehicles with existing leaning mechanisms face issues where the vehicle body cannot lean freely due to restrictive mechanisms, leading to uncomfortable riding experiences, especially during braking operations.
Innovation Solution
A saddle riding type vehicle equipped with a suspension mechanism allowing the right and left wheels to move up and down independently, coupled with a stopper member that contacts the suspension mechanism to prevent excessive leaning while permitting lean reduction, ensuring the vehicle body can lean comfortably without becoming incapable of doing so.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Neidhardt mechanism is used to connect the front vehicle body and rear vehicle body with elastic force for returning to upright posture, then the vehicle body returns to upright posture after leaning, but the vehicle body cannot lean freely and the rider cannot travel comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a swing lock mechanism that dynamically changes the connection state between front and rear vehicle bodies. During normal traveling, the mechanism allows free relative rotation for comfortable leaning. During braking, the mechanism automatically locks to prevent excessive leaning, achieving both comfort and safety through dynamic state adjustment
2Reliability
If a swing lock mechanism is used to restrict relative rotation of the front vehicle body and rear vehicle body during braking, then the vehicle body stands unassisted during braking, but the vehicle body becomes incapable of leaning and the rider cannot travel comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The swing lock mechanism dynamically adjusts based on braking conditions. The inertial force generated during braking automatically engages the locking members with the locked holes, restricting rotation only when needed. During normal traveling without braking, the mechanism remains unlocked, allowing full leaning capability for rider comfort
3Reliability
If the relative rotation of the front vehicle body and rear vehicle body is restricted every time braking is carried out, then the vehicle body stands unassisted during braking, but the vehicle body is made incapable of leaning and the rider cannot travel comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The swing lock mechanism is a self-activating system that uses the inertial force generated during braking to automatically engage the locking members with the locked holes. No additional control input from the rider is needed - the mechanism self-regulates based on the braking condition, providing upright stability during braking while maintaining leaning capability during normal traveling
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 vehicle body can lean freely within a predetermined amount, maintaining comfort for the rider and absorbing shocks effectively, preventing excessive leaning and maintaining mobility even when the stopper member is in contact with the suspension mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension mechanism provided on the vehicle body for supporting the right wheel (28R) and the left wheel (28L) to be movable up and down in mutually opposite directions
Implementation Method 2
a stopper member (39L, 39R) for contacting the suspension mechanism to stop the vehicle body from leaning in excess of a predetermined amount when a lean amount of the vehicle body becomes the predetermined amount
Data Source
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AI summary
A saddle riding type vehicle of this invention includes a right wheel and a left wheel, a right lower arm and a left lower arm swingably provided on a vehicle body for supporting the right wheel and the left wheel to be movable up and down, and a right stopper member and a left stopper member for contacting the right lower arm and the left lower arm to stop the vehicle body from leaning in excess of a predetermined amount, which do not stop leaning of the vehicle body when the lean amount of the vehicle body is less than the predetermined amount. The vehicle body is capable of leaning freely when the lean amount of the vehicle body is in a range not exceeding the predetermined amount. Therefore, the rider can travel comfortably.