Traveling Vehicle Steering Shaft Layout for Baggage Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing traveling vehicles face challenges in securing a large baggage loading space due to the configuration of the steering mechanism, which restricts the available space in front of the steering shaft.

Innovation Solution

A layout where the steering shaft is positioned behind and parallel to the pivot axis of the front wheel, allowing for a larger space to be secured in front of and below the steering shaft, while maintaining good steering feeling by ensuring the steering shaft and pivot axis are parallel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the steering shaft is positioned in front of the pivot axis, then the steering mechanism can be compact, but the baggage loading space in front of the steering shaft is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaggage loading spaceVSAvoidsteering mechanism layout

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering shaft is repositioned from a conventional location to a specific spatial arrangement behind the pivot axis, utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively to create baggage loading volume without compromising steering functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the steering shaft in the traditional front position, the patent inverts the conventional layout by positioning it behind the pivot axis, thereby freeing up space for baggage while maintaining steering performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Volume of moving object

If the steering shaft is positioned behind the pivot axis, then the baggage loading space is increased, but the steering feeling may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaggage loading spaceVSAvoidsteering feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the positional parameters of the steering shaft relative to the pivot axis, adjusting the distance and angular orientation to maintain effective steering torque transmission while creating necessary baggage loading space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The operating rod acts as an intermediary element that transmits the operator's input force from the steering shaft to the pivot axis, ensuring that the extended steering shaft position does not compromise the transmission efficiency or steering feeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4197890A1Traveling vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

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AI summary

There is provided a traveling vehicle (1) including: a vehicle body (2); a front wheel (10, 20) that is rotatably supported on the vehicle body and is pivotable about a pivot axis (c1); an operation member (5) that is rotationally operated to pivot the front wheel; and a steering shaft (6) that is operated by the operation member. In a lateral view of the traveling vehicle, the steering shaft is disposed behind the pivot axis, and the steering shaft is substantially parallel to the pivot axis. According to the traveling vehicle of the present disclosure, it is possible to implement a layout in which a large space is easily secured in front of the steering shaft in the traveling vehicle.