Starter-Motor Reverse Gear Train for Heavy Motorcycle Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large and heavy motorized vehicles, such as motorcycles, are difficult to manually maneuver for parking or moving due to their size and weight, necessitating a parking assist drive system that can propel the vehicle in reverse at slow speeds.
Innovation Solution
A powertrain assembly with a starter motor, transmission main shaft, and reverse drive assembly that includes a reverse drive gear train and pivot carrier, allowing the vehicle to be driven in reverse by selectively engaging the output gear with the main shaft gear, creating a reverse power transmission path from the starter motor through the gear train to the transmission and output drive wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reverse drive assembly is added to enable reverse motion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starter motor is designed to perform dual functions: starting the engine and providing reverse drive power. The reverse drive assembly utilizes the starter motor's output through a gear train that engages with the transmission, allowing the same motor to serve both starting and reverse propulsion purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse drive gear train is nested within the existing transmission structure. The output gear of the reverse drive gear train engages with the transmission's main shaft gear, effectively nesting the reverse drive mechanism within the transmission housing and utilizing existing structural space.
2Reliability
If the reverse drive gear train is in constant mesh with the starter motor, then the reliability of power transmission is improved, but the risk of simultaneous operation with forward drive increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse drive output gear is designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the transmission main shaft gear. This dynamic positioning allows the system to selectively engage reverse drive only when needed, while maintaining constant mesh between the reverse drive gear train and starter motor for reliable power transmission when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable output gear acts as an intermediary element between the reverse drive gear train and the transmission main shaft gear. By controlling the engagement of this intermediate gear, the system can prevent direct connection between the starter motor and transmission during forward operation, thereby avoiding harmful simultaneous operation while maintaining ready-to-engage constant mesh configuration.
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
Enables easy maneuvering of large motorized vehicles by allowing them to be driven in reverse, reducing the effort required for operators to park or move them, while preventing simultaneous operation with the forward drive system to avoid damage.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse drive gear train in constant mesh with the motor shaft of the starter motor
Data Source
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AI summary
A motorized vehicle has an engine operable to drive the motorized vehicle in a forward direction, a starter motor having an output shaft extending between a first end and a second end, the first end selectively engageable with the engine to start the engine, and a transmission having a main shaft with a main shaft gear and an output drive wheel. A reverse drive assembly includes an input and an output. The input is in constant mesh with the second end of the starter motor. The output is selectively engageable with the main shaft gear of the transmission to drive the motorized vehicle in a reverse direction.