Swing Arm Fixing Mechanism for Lower Seat Height and Full Suspension Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tilting vehicles present a challenge for drivers with shorter stature to easily mount due to elevated seat height in extended driving states, and existing solutions do not effectively manage seat height adjustment and suspension travel for optimal riding comfort and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device for a rocker arm of a tilting vehicle, featuring rotatably mounted wheel suspension with bolt-like holding elements and a surface locking mechanism, allows for adjustable seat height reduction and automatic locking/unlocking based on speed detection, ensuring easier mounting and maintaining full suspension travel during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wheel suspension is fixed in the extended functional position, then the seat height is maximized for easy mounting, but the suspension travel is reduced compromising riding comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device dynamically adjusts the wheel suspension between two states: extended functional position for easy mounting and compressed functional position for optimal riding comfort. The actuator enables the system to transition between these states based on operational requirements, making the suspension adaptable rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the wheel suspension by using the actuator to move the first fixing means from a release position to a fixing position, thereby altering the seat height and suspension travel characteristics to match different operational phases.
2Ease of operation
If the wheel suspension is fixed in the compressed functional position, then the seat height is reduced for easier mounting, but the suspension travel is limited compromising vibration absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions the wheel suspension between compressed and extended positions. During mounting, the suspension is held in the compressed position for low seat height. During operation, it switches to the extended position to provide full suspension travel for vibration absorption and riding comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device operates periodically, switching between fixing and release states. The actuator is activated to fix the suspension in the compressed position during mounting, then deactivated to allow extension during operation, creating a periodic cycle that alternates between accessibility and comfort modes.
3Length of moving object
If the wheel suspension is made movable without fixing, then the full suspension travel is available, but unintended locking in extended positions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator provides controlled feedback mechanisms to manage the fixing and release of the wheel suspension. It monitors and responds to operational conditions, ensuring the suspension is fixed only when intended (in compressed position for mounting) and released when operation is required, preventing unintended locking in extended positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device with actuator serves itself by automatically determining when to fix and when to release the wheel suspension based on operational context, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of unintended locking states.
4Reliability
If a fixing device with actuator is added, then the wheel suspension can be reliably fixed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fixing function from the overall suspension system by implementing a separate, dedicated fixing device with actuator. This modular approach isolates the complexity of the control mechanism from the main suspension system, making the fixing function independent and manageable while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a fixing device (2) for a swing arm (4) of a tilting vehicle (6), having: at least one first fixing means (8) which is fixed indirectly or directly to a supporting structure (10) of the tilting vehicle (6); at least one second fixing means (12) which is fixed indirectly or directly to a wheel suspension (14) which is movable relative to the supporting structure (10) and spans a spring path and which is fixed from an extended functional position (F1), in which a distance of a wheel unit (16) fixed to the wheel suspension (14) from a seat unit (18) fixed to the supporting structure (10) is at a maximum, to a compressed functional position (F2), in which the distance between the wheel unit (16) and the seat unit (18) is reduced relative to the extended functional position (F1); and at least one actuator (20) by means of which the first fixing means (8) and/or the second fixing means (12) can be transferred from a release position, in which the two fixing means (8, 12) are arranged contactlessly and movably relative to each other, into a fixing position, in which the two fixing means (8, 12) are fixed to each other and fix the wheel suspension (14) and the supporting structure (10) against movement relative to each other.