Tracked Motorcycle Frame Structure for Independent Suspension

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle designs with endless tracks lack independent suspension and effective steering capabilities, limiting their off-road performance and stability.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure comprising an upper frame pivotably coupled to a lower frame through front and rear brackets, with independent suspension systems and a steering pivot pipe arrangement that allows for relative movement between the frames, enhancing steering and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a motorcycle uses an endless track drive system, then traction is improved, but off-road capability and stability deteriorate due to lack of independent suspension

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidoff-road capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into two separate segments: an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper frame carries the seat and upper suspension components, while the lower frame carries the track assembly and lower suspension components. This segmentation allows each frame to move independently, providing independent suspension that improves off-road capability while maintaining the traction benefits of the endless track drive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If a motorcycle uses an endless track drive system, then vehicle weight distribution is improved, but steering capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight distributionVSAvoidsteering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system is made dynamic by allowing the upper frame to pivot relative to the lower frame through pivot brackets. This relative movement enables the steering mechanism to adapt to terrain variations, maintaining effective steering capability despite the weight distribution benefits provided by the endless track system. The pivot connection allows the steering geometry to change dynamically with suspension movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the frame structure allows relative movement between upper and lower frames, then independent suspension is achieved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent suspensionVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot brackets serve multiple functions: they connect the upper frame to the lower frame, enable independent suspension movement, and provide mounting points for suspension components. By merging these functions into a single structural element, the design achieves independent suspension without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity. The pivot brackets integrate frame connection, suspension articulation, and component mounting into one unified component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4628392A1A frame structure for a motorcycle
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 ORUGA SIA
  • EP4628392A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4628392A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4628392A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Invention relates to a frame structure for caterpillar motorcycle. The frame comprises an upper frame (1) and a lower frame (10) pivotably coupled to the upper fame (1) through a front bracket (20) and a rear bracket (21). The upper frame (1) comprises a steering pivot pipe (2), a seat support (3) pivotably coupled to the steering pivot pipe (2), a rear lever (4) pivotably interconnecting the seat support (3) to the rear bracket (21), and a front lever (6) pivotably interconnecting the steering pivot pipe (2) to the front bracket (20). The lower frame (10) comprises a lower rear frame (11) pivotably coupled to the rear bracket (21), and a triangle frame (13) pivotally interconnected to the lower rear frame (11) and the front bracket (20). The frame provides independent movement of the lower rear frame (11) and the triangle frame (13) in relation to the upper frame (1).