Steering Force Transmission Rubber Component Vibration Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vibration is transmitted to the rider due to differences in frictional forces between the right and left front wheels when braking, causing discomfort, as existing shock absorbing devices are ineffective in suppressing vibrations acting in the front-and-rear and left-and-right directions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a steering force transmission mechanism incorporating a rubber component with a metallic annular or tubular outer member and inner member, where the rubber portion connects and allows relative displacement between the outer and inner members, effectively suppressing vibration transmission to the grip portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid steering force transmission mechanism is used to ensure precise steering control, then steering accuracy is improved, but vibration from differential wheel friction is transmitted to the rider causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber component is introduced as an intermediary element between the tie rod and the steering shaft. This rubber component acts as a mediator that allows the steering force to be transmitted while simultaneously absorbing and damping vibrations generated by differential friction forces between the left and right front wheels, preventing vibration transmission to the rider while maintaining steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining rigid metallic components (tie rod, steering shaft) with a flexible rubber component. This composite material approach allows the system to benefit from both the precision of rigid materials for steering control and the vibration-damping properties of rubber, resolving the contradiction between steering accuracy and vibration isolation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock absorbing devices are added to suppress vibration, then rider comfort is improved, but the structural complexity and size of the steering mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppression function is merged into the existing steering force transmission mechanism by integrating the rubber component directly into the tie rod-steering shaft connection. This eliminates the need for separate shock absorbing devices, maintaining rider comfort while avoiding additional structural complexity and size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits steering force from the tie rod to the steering shaft, dampens vibrations from differential wheel friction, and allows for relative displacement to accommodate steering geometry changes. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
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
The rubber component significantly reduces the transmission of vibration to the rider, enhancing comfort by absorbing relative displacements in various directions, thereby mitigating the discomfort caused by differing frictional forces between the front wheels.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber portion which is connected to the outer member and the inner member while filling at least part of a space defined between the outer member and the inner member, and the inner member and the outer member may individually be fixed to the steering force transmission mechanism, allowing the inner member and the outer member to be displaced relative to each other by the rubber portion being elastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
a rubber component which is configured to suppress the transmission of vibration which is attributed to a difference between a frictional force generated between the right front wheel and a corresponding road surface and a frictional force generated between the left front wheel and a corresponding road surface to the grip portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a vehicle 1 has a right front wheel 32 and a left front wheel 31, brake devices 33, 34, grip portions 37, 38, and a steering force transmission mechanism 6 which transmits a steering force to the right front wheel 32 and the left front wheel 31. The steering force transmission mechanism 6 has a steering shaft 652, a handlebar 651, and a tie rod 669. Brake operating devices 35, 36 which operate the brake devices 33, 34 and the grip portions 37, 38 are provided on the handlebar 651, and a rubber component 70 is provided on the steering force transmission mechanism 6 which restrains vibration attributed to a difference between a frictional force generated between the right front wheel 32 and a corresponding road surface and a frictional force generated between the left front wheel 31 and a corresponding road surface from being transmitted to the grip portions 37, 38.