Vehicle Body Frame Link Support Rigidity and Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance the acceleration performance and comfort of a vehicle with a small engine while maintaining the compact size and ensuring the required rigidity of the link support portion without enlarging the body frame.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle incorporates a body frame that can lean, with a power unit positioned between the link mechanism and the rear wheel swing shaft, and a link mechanism with specific cross members and shock absorbing mechanisms to distribute and absorb loads effectively, allowing for increased rigidity without increasing the frame size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the displacement of the power unit is increased to improve acceleration performance, then the acceleration performance is improved, but the load on the link support portion increases requiring greater rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by positioning the power unit between the link mechanism and rear wheel swing shaft, creating a three-dimensional load distribution path. This dimensional rearrangement allows the power unit to serve dual functions: maintaining compact vehicle width while providing structural support for the link mechanism, thereby distributing loads more effectively without requiring excessive rigidity in any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power unit with the link support structure, combining two previously separate functional elements. The power unit is positioned to overlap with the link mechanism in the left-to-right direction, creating a integrated structure where the power unit contributes to both power transmission and structural support, reducing the need for additional reinforcement of the link support portion.
2Strength
If the rigidity of the link support portion is enhanced to support higher loads, then the supporting rigidity is improved, but the body frame increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The power unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power transmission to the rear wheel, supports the link mechanism structure, and acts as a structural element in the body frame. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated reinforcement structures, maintaining rigidity without increasing overall frame size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the power unit between the link mechanism and rear wheel swing shaft, allowing load paths to extend in multiple directions. This three-dimensional arrangement distributes structural demands across different spatial dimensions, reducing the need for horizontal expansion of the frame.
3Volume of moving object
If the distance between the two front wheels is reduced to maintain compact size, then the vehicle width is reduced, but the body frame must be enlarged to ensure required rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced wheelbase by introducing vertical and depth-dimensional support structures. The power unit's strategic positioning creates load paths that extend vertically and longitudinally, providing structural rigidity that compensates for the narrower vehicle width without requiring frame enlargement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power unit with the link support structure, creating an integrated load-bearing element. This merging of functions allows the body frame to maintain compact dimensions while the combined power unit-link structure provides the necessary structural rigidity through its reinforced configuration.
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
This configuration enhances the vehicle's acceleration performance and comfort by maintaining the required rigidity without enlarging the body frame, ensuring efficient load distribution and absorption, thus maintaining the vehicle's compact size and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a right shock absorbing mechanism that supports the right front wheel at a lower portion thereof and that attenuates an upward displacement of the right front wheel in an up-to-down direction of the body frame; a left shock absorbing mechanism that supports the left front wheel at a lower portion thereof and that attenuates an upward displacement of the left front wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem]To provide a vehicle having a body frame which is restricted from being enlarged in size while ensuring that a link mechanism has required supporting rigidity. [Means for Resolution] A body frame has a link support portion 211 that supports a link mechanism 5, a lower frame 80 that connects a power unit 24 that is provided in a position where at least part of the power unit 24 overlaps a line S1 when a vehicle 1 in the upright state is seen from a side thereof and the link support portion 211 together, and an upper frame 70 that is connected to the link support portion 211 above a connecting portion C1 of the lower frame 80 with the link support portion 211. When the vehicle 1 in the upright state is seen from the side thereof, a point of intersection 73a of a straight line L7 which passes a connecting portion C2 and intersects a middle lower axis L4 at right angles and an upper edge 73 of the upper frame 70 is positioned above a point of intersection P of the middle lower axis L4 and a left steering axis X in relation to the direction of the left steering axis X.