Triangular Vehicle Steering System for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle steering systems, such as telescopic forks and hub centre steering, face issues like instability, brake dive, and poor handling due to inherent design asymmetries and limitations in adjusting rake and trail angles, leading to compromised performance and market acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system featuring a triangular arrangement of swing arm assemblies, steering arms, and a shock absorber, allowing adjustable rake and trail angles, and modified pivot points to enhance stability and handling, with a triangulated structure that reduces unsprung weight and king pin stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If telescopic fork arrangements are used, then steering and suspension functions are integrated, but instability and brake dive occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the telescopic fork into two independent functional systems: a steering system (front fork assembly with handlebars) and a suspension system (rear swing arm with shock absorber). This segmentation eliminates the instability inherent in integrated telescopic forks while maintaining both functions. The steering system uses a traditional fork configuration with steering column and handlebars, while the suspension system uses a swing arm mechanism with shock absorber, allowing each to operate independently without the lateral movement and stiction problems of combined telescopic forks.
2Stability of the object's composition
If telescopic fork compression is increased to handle braking loads, then brake dive is reduced, but handling becomes sluggish
Solution Approach 1:
By separating steering and suspension functions into independent systems, the invention allows the suspension system (rear swing arm) to handle braking loads through shock absorber compression without affecting steering responsiveness. The steering system remains light and responsive since it doesn't need to support braking forces, while the suspension system independently manages brake dive through its dedicated shock absorber mechanism.
3Strength
If shock load forces are amplified and transferred high and forward of the centre of gravity, then vehicle strength is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the shock load management function from the front steering assembly and relocates it to the rear suspension system. The rear swing arm assembly with shock absorber independently absorbs and dissipates shock loads, preventing these forces from being transferred through the steering column and handlebars. This eliminates the need for excessive structural reinforcement in the front assembly, reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining strength.
4Ease of manufacture
If rake and trail angles are fixed in traditional fork arrangements, then manufacturing is simplified, but handling performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements adjustable rake and trail angles through the rear swing arm suspension system. The swing arm configuration allows dynamic adjustment of geometric parameters to optimize handling performance for different riding conditions. The steering system uses a traditional fork with adjustable handlebar position, while the suspension system provides geometric adjustment through swing arm pivot point positioning, combining manufacturing simplicity with handling versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a body, a first and second swing arm assembly each pivotally mounted to the body, at least one wheel support arm pivotally mounted to the first swing arm assembly, an axle coupled to the wheel support arm, a wheel hub pivotally mounted to the axle, the wheel hub rotatably supporting at least one wheel in use, a support member pivotally mounted to the second swing arm assembly and either the wheel support arm or the first swing arm assembly. At least one steering arm pivotally connected to the support member and coupled to the wheel hub, wherein the steering arm, wheel support arm, and the support member are provided in a substantially triangular arrangement, a steering input pivotally mounted to the body and a steering coupling for connecting the steering arm to the steering input.