Trike Steering and Suspension Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional steering and suspension systems in trikes suffer from issues like wheel flop, limited tire life, and increased driver burden due to coupled steering and suspension components, which affect stability and control, especially at higher speeds, and result in uneven tire wear and poor ride quality.
Innovation Solution
A steering assembly with a power steering system coupled to a front frame assembly, featuring front suspension piston and sleeve assemblies positioned perpendicularly to the road surface, reducing lateral forces and maintaining consistent geometry, allowing for larger and heavier components and longer-lasting tires, and eliminating wheel flop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional girder fork suspension is used with angled uprights, then the system provides suspension functionality, but wheel flop occurs and steering stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates steering and suspension functions into independent systems. The steering system uses vertical uprights that rotate about a vertical axis, while the suspension system uses horizontally oriented links that move vertically. This segmentation eliminates wheel flop by preventing the coupling between steering rotation and suspension movement that occurs in traditional angled girder fork designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using angled uprights rotated about a slanted axis (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using vertical uprights rotated about a vertical axis. The suspension function is achieved through horizontal links moving vertically rather than through the angular motion of traditional girder forks. This inversion fundamentally changes the kinematics to eliminate wheel flop.
2Device complexity
If steering and suspension are coupled together, then the system structure is simplified, but driver burden increases and control difficulty worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the coupled steering-suspension system into separate independent systems. The steering system with vertical uprights and power steering operates independently from the suspension system with horizontal links and vertical springs. This segmentation reduces driver burden by eliminating the additional rotational forces and mechanical coupling that make traditional systems difficult to control, while power steering further assists steering efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical steering effort with a power steering system that uses hydraulic or electric assistance. This substitution significantly reduces driver burden by providing powered assistance for steering inputs, while the independent suspension system handles vertical movements without requiring driver input.
3Ease of operation
If front tires are designed with triangular shape for turning, then steering functionality is improved, but tire life decreases due to thinner tread
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing tires with triangular shapes optimized for turning (traditional motorcycle approach), the invention inverts the approach by using conventional rounded tire shapes with substantial tread depth. The steering function is achieved through the vertical upright rotation mechanism rather than through specialized tire geometry, allowing the use of durable, car-like tires with longer service life.
4Device complexity
If spring weight is included in unsprung weight, then the suspension system is simpler, but ride quality deteriorates and wheel control issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the suspension system so that the spring mass is supported by the vehicle frame rather than being part of the unsprung weight. The horizontal links connect the vertical springs to the wheel assembly, creating a configuration where the spring weight is borne by the framed structure. This segmentation reduces unsprung weight, improving wheel control and ride quality while maintaining suspension functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved suspension and steering systems for a trike may include a steering assembly including a power steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly may include a front plate coupled to a steering hub and two front suspension piston and sleeve assemblies. The front plate and steering hub may be positioned above the front tire so that front tire rotates about an axis that is substantially perpendicular with the surface of the road. This system reduces and/or eliminates problems associated with traditional steering assemblies, such as wheel flop, limited tire life, driver burden, and the like. In addition, the front suspension piston and sleeve assemblies also may be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the road surface to reduce and/or eliminate lateral forces on the trike and changes to the overall geometry of the trike during usage.