Steering Force Transmitting Mechanism for Large Steering Angle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle designs face challenges in achieving a large steering angle while minimizing the enlargement of movable ranges for steering force transmission, as the limited turning ranges of joint members restrict steering capability and increase space requirements.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle incorporates a steering force transmitting mechanism with turn shaft members having axes extending in the front-rear direction and up-down direction, allowing for a compact design that maintains a large steering angle by minimizing the movable range of the tie rod through strategically positioned supporting sections and a link mechanism disposed above the front wheels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If joint members are used to transmit steering force, then the steering mechanism can be compact, but the steering angle is limited due to restricted turning ranges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness of steering mechanismVSAvoidsteering angle range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The steering mechanism is divided into multiple independent turn shaft members, each responsible for a specific turning motion. The first turn shaft member handles the primary steering rotation, while the second turn shaft member provides additional angular adjustment, enabling larger overall steering angles without increasing the compactness of the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a second turn shaft member with a turning axis perpendicular to the first turn shaft member's axis. This multi-dimensional arrangement of turning axes allows the system to achieve larger steering angles by combining rotations in different directions, effectively adding another dimension to the steering capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If turn shaft members with front-rear and up-down turning axes are individually provided, then large steering angle is achieved, but the space for accommodating components and their movable ranges become large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering angleVSAvoidspace for accommodating turn shaft members and movable range
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second turn shaft members are integrated into a unified steering mechanism where the second turn shaft member is positioned on the first turn shaft member. This merging of components allows both turning axes to be accommodated within a compact space, reducing the overall volume required while maintaining the capability for large steering angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second turn shaft member is nested on the first turn shaft member, with the second member's turning axis perpendicular to the first. This nested arrangement allows both turn shaft members to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the total space required to accommodate the steering mechanism while enabling large steering angles through combined rotations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2905209B1vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2905209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2905209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2905209B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that has a large steering angle while suppressing an increase in the size of the vehicle front portion. The vehicle is provided with: a center transmitting plate (1061); a first center rotating portion (1641) that can rotate around a first center rotating shaft (1644) in the up-down direction; a second center rotating portion (1645) that can rotate around a second center rotating shaft (1649) in the front-back direction; a left transmitting plate (1062); a first left rotating portion (1651) that can rotate around a first left rotating shaft (1654) in the up-down direction; a second left rotating portion (1655) that can rotate around a second left rotating shaft (1659) in the front-back direction; a right transmitting plate (1063), a first right rotating portion (1661) that can rotate around a first right rotating shaft (1664) in the up-down direction; and a second right rotating portion (1665) that can rotate around a second right rotating shaft (1669) in the front-back direction. The second center rotating portion (1645), the second left rotating portion (1655), and the second right rotating portion (1665) are supported by a tie rod (1067).