Segmented Three-Wheel Vehicle with Leaning Rear Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-wheeled vehicles do not effectively combine the efficiency and comfort of automobiles with the maneuverability of motorcycles, particularly in taking tight corners, and often expose drivers to the weather, compromising safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid crossover vehicle design featuring a front segment with a power plant and two wheels for steering and propulsion, and a rear segment with a single non-driven wheel for the operator, allowing the rear segment to rotate about its longitudinal axis for leaning into turns, with control options for manual or automatic tilt based on speed and turn radius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a three-wheeled vehicle uses a conventional rigid structure like an automobile, then it provides stability and comfort, but it cannot take tight corners effectively and has high wind resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into two independent segments: a front segment containing the power plant and two steering wheels, and a rear segment containing the operator on a single non-driven wheel. These segments are connected by a coupling that allows relative rotation, enabling the rear segment to lean into turns independently while the front segment maintains stable propulsion and steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the front and rear segments allows dynamic rotation of the rear segment about the longitudinal axis during turns. This dynamic adjustment enables the vehicle to lean into corners like a motorcycle, improving cornering capability while maintaining overall vehicle stability through the coordinated operation of both segments.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a three-wheeled vehicle adopts a motorcycle-like straddle seating arrangement, then it reduces wind resistance and improves efficiency, but it exposes the driver to the weather and compromises safety and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle separates the propulsion function (front segment with power plant) from the operator accommodation (rear segment with enclosed cockpit). This segmentation allows the front segment to have a streamlined, motorcycle-like profile that reduces wind resistance, while the rear segment provides an enclosed, automobile-like cockpit that protects the operator from weather elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear segment serves multiple functions: it houses the operator in a protected environment like an automobile, allows leaning into turns like a motorcycle through the coupling mechanism, and maintains aerodynamic efficiency. The enclosed cockpit design provides weather protection while the overall vehicle configuration maintains low wind resistance.
3Weight of moving object
If a three-wheeled vehicle uses a single rear wheel for propulsion like a motorcycle, then it reduces weight and improves efficiency, but it compromises stability and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle uses two front wheels for propulsion and steering in the front segment, and a single rear wheel for support only in the rear segment. This segmentation allows the front segment to provide stable propulsion and steering control, while the rear segment with its single wheel can lean into turns through the coupling mechanism, reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining stability.
4Productivity
If a three-wheeled vehicle allows the rear segment to rotate for leaning into turns, then it improves cornering capability and comfort, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs a coupling mechanism that connects the front and rear segments, allowing the rear segment to rotate independently about the longitudinal axis during turns. This segmentation enables the rear segment to lean into corners, improving cornering capability and operator comfort, while the coupling design maintains a relatively simple structure by focusing the rotational freedom at the connection point between segments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to motorized vehicles and more specifically to a three wheeled motorized vehicle providing a hybrid crossover between an automobile and a motorcycle that is able to take tight corners like a motorcycle by provision of a segment enclosing the operator that can lean into turns, The front segment contains two wheels for both steering and propulsion and is conventionally constructed like any typical front wheel drive vehicle. The rear segment contains the operator (and optionally passenger) supported on a single wheel, The two segments are joined together via a coupling that both supports the assembly and allows rotation of the rear segment about the longitudinal axis to perform the lean for operator and or passenger comfort, while transmitting critical control functions.