Motorcycle Shift Sensor Layout for Short Shift Rod Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to provide a compact shift device for a straddle-type vehicle where a sufficient length of the shift rod cannot be ensured, making it difficult to integrate a shift sensor effectively.

Innovation Solution

The shift device incorporates a shift sensor that is integrally rotatable with the shift shaft, functioning as a link arm to couple the shift shaft and shift rod, allowing the sensor to detect shift operations and reduce the device's size by positioning the operation portion and sensor on the same side as the shift rod.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the shift sensor is integrally provided on the shift rod, then the shift operation can be detected, but the shift rod length becomes insufficient in certain layouts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift operation detectionVSAvoidshift rod length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the shift sensor and link arm into a single integrated component. The shift sensor is mounted on the link arm, combining the mechanical linkage function with the sensing function into one unit, thereby eliminating the need for a separate long shift rod while still enabling shift operation detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the shift rod is made longer to accommodate the shift sensor, then the sensor can be provided, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor integration capabilityVSAvoidshift device size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shift sensor and link arm are combined into one integrated component, allowing the sensor to be positioned close to the shift shaft without requiring a long shift rod. This integration maintains sensor functionality while significantly reducing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a separate link arm is provided in addition to the shift rod, then the shift mechanism functions, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshift mechanism functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The link arm and shift sensor are merged into a single integrated component. The link arm serves as the mounting structure for the shift sensor, eliminating the need for a separate link arm component while maintaining the mechanical linkage functionality between the shift lever and shift shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4053433B1Shift device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4053433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4053433B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4053433B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a shift device for a straddle-type vehicle that is configured to cause a transmission device to perform a shift change in accordance with rotation of a shift shaft. The shift device includes: a shift lever provided with an operation portion that is configured to receive a shift operation; a shift sensor provided on the shift shaft so as to be integrally rotatable with the shift shaft; and a shift rod that couples the shift lever and the shift sensor. The shift sensor is configured to detect the shift operation on the shift lever in accordance with a movement of the shift rod. The operation portion and the shift sensor are positioned at the same side in a manner of sandwiching the shift rod.