Steering System Linkage for Saddle-Ride Vehicle Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In saddle-ride type vehicles, existing steering systems face challenges in transmitting steering force to the steering shaft when a part of the steering force transmission system becomes unworkable, requiring an assist steering system that can effectively compensate for failures in the primary steering force transmission.
Innovation Solution
The proposed steering system incorporates a front fork with a steering shaft, a steering arm, a turnably supported steering force transmit member, and an assist motor that generates a steering assist force, with engage sections between the steering force transmit member and the steering assist force transmit member to ensure continuous force transmission to the steering shaft, even if a part of the system fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single steering force transmit member is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the system becomes unworkable when the transmit member fails
Solution Approach 1:
The steering force transmission system is segmented into two independent paths: a primary path through the steering force transmit member and a secondary path through the steering assist force transmit member. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even when one path fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely redundant complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The engage sections act as intermediaries that can connect or disconnect the primary and secondary transmission paths. These engage sections allow flexible engagement between the steering force transmit member and steering assist force transmit member, enabling the system to switch between different transmission modes and maintain reliability while controlling complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering force transmit member and steering assist force transmit member are positioned close together, then the device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to immediate back-and-forth force transfer when one fails
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assist force transmit member is positioned in the vertical direction below the steering force transmit member, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the two transmission paths. This spatial arrangement in another dimension prevents immediate back-and-forth force transfer while maintaining a compact overall structure, thereby reducing harmful factors without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the steering assist force transmit member is added to the system, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and arrangement space
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assist force transmit member is arranged within the vertical space below the steering force transmit member, effectively nesting the secondary transmission path within the spatial envelope of the primary path. This nesting approach allows the addition of the reliability-enhancing component while minimizing the increase in overall system volume.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the vertical dimension for arranging the steering assist force transmit member below the steering force transmit member, the system adds a redundant transmission path without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint. This dimensional strategy improves reliability while controlling the volume occupation of the steering system.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering system of a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a front fork that includes a steering shaft at the upper end and supports a front wheel at the lower end. A steering arm is attached to the steering shaft, a steering force transmit member is turnably supported by a steering stem that is arranged in a body frame, and a steering system link that joins the steering arm and the steering force transmit member. Engage sections are arranged between the steering force transmit member and the steering assist force transmit member. The engage sections allow the steering force transmit member and a steering assist force transmit member to be engaged with each other so that the steering assist force transmit member is turned around the steering stem accompanying turning of the steering force transmit member.