Patent Publication Number: US-2018050754-A1

Title: Motorcycle and vehicle systems

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims a benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/378,178 filed 22 Aug. 2016; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/378,721 filed 24 Aug. 2016; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Generally, this disclosure relates to a vehicle with innovative systems and components. In particular, this disclosure relates to constructing a motorcycle with innovative systems and components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional motorcycles can be difficult to construct or maintain due to a desire for some, most, or all of components thereof being structured or contained in a relatively small volume. Accordingly, there is a need for a motorcycle that can be constructed or maintained using less labor. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment includes a motorcycle comprising: a front end subassembly including a fork, a suspension support, a shaft, an axle, and a wheel, wherein the suspension support is coupled to the fork, wherein the shaft is rigid, rectilinear, and extends from the suspension support such that the shaft is (1) parallel to the fork and (2) transverse to the axle, wherein the wheel rotates about the axle; and a seat subassembly including a passenger seat, a gas tank, and a passage, wherein the gas tank is positioned between the passenger seat and the passage, wherein the shaft extends through the passage and thereby solely couples the front end subassembly to the seat subassembly such that the front end subassembly is able to steer the seat subassembly. 
     An embodiment includes motorcycle comprising: an actuator; a turn signal configured to be rotated on an axis by the actuator and including a light that can be illuminated; a seat assembly containing an opening configured to receive the turn signal when the turn signal is in a closed position; and a turn signal controller configured to turn on the light and command the actuator to rotate the turn signal to a position outside of the opening. 
     An embodiment includes a motorcycle comprising: a passenger peg configured to be rotated on an axis to an open position; and a seat assembly containing an opening configured to receive the passenger peg when the passenger peg is in a closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a motorcycle according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary side views of clear cam covers in an embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates front and back end view of the motorcycle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the assembly of the motorcycle subassemblies shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate and describe an exemplary handle bar of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a front view of an exemplary front assembly of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show an exemplary connection of the front subassembly and the seat subassembly of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows views of an exemplary front suspension support of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of exemplary front and rear lights of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  shows views of the front and rear lights shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows views of the front and rear lights and the rear view camera; 
         FIG. 15  shows views of an exemplary display of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  shows views of an exemplary passenger peg of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  shows views of an exemplary passenger seat structural support of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  shows views of an exemplary rotating gas tank of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  shows views of exemplary heat shields of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 20 and 20A  show views of exemplary heat dissipation devices of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  shows an external view of an exemplary engine case of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  show views of exemplary exhaust passages of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 24 and 25  show views of an exemplary kickstand of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 26 and 29  shows views of an exemplary foot control subassembly of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 27 and 28  show views of exemplary oil passages of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 30  shows views of an exemplary transmission assembly of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 31  shows views of an exemplary gearing system of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 32  shows views of installing the transmission system shown in  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 33  shows views of an exemplary structural bridge of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  shows the rear wheel assembly; 
         FIG. 36  shows views of form finishing washers of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 37-39  shows views of an exemplary rear wheel assembly of this disclosure; and 
         FIG. 40  shows views of the structural bridge shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is presently made in detail to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in or represented by the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of this disclosure, not limitation of this disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to skilled artisans that various modifications and variations can be made in this disclosure, without departing from a scope or spirit of this disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that this disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the disclosure and equivalents thereof. 
     Features described with respect to certain example embodiments may be combined and sub-combined in and/or with various other example embodiments. Also, different aspects and/or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined and sub-combined in a similar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whether individually and/or collectively, may be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over and/or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps may be required before, after, and/or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any and/or all methods and/or processes, at least as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity in any manner. 
     Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element and/or intervening elements can be present, including indirect and/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from various teachings of this disclosure. 
     Various terminology used herein is for describing particular example embodiments and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, various singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include various plural forms as well, unless a context clearly indicates otherwise. Various terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence and/or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, a term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of a set of natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. 
     Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of this disclosure. As such, variations from various illustrated shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, various example embodiments of this disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to various particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. 
     Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth. 
     Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/or include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, an amorphous material, a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nanomaterial, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be and/or include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, opaqueness, luminescence, reflection, phosphorescence, anti-reflection and/or holography, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be rigid, flexible, and/or any other combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be identical and/or different from each other in material, shape, size, color and/or any measurable dimension, such as length, width, height, depth, area, orientation, perimeter, volume, breadth, density, temperature, resistance, and so forth. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Various terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in a context of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” can be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientation depicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example, if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turned over, then various elements described as being on a “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of other elements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures were turned over, then various elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” other elements. Therefore, various example terms “below” and “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
     As used herein, a term “about” and/or “substantially” refers to a +/−10% variation from a nominal value/term. Such variation is always included in any given value/term provided herein, whether or not such variation is specifically referred thereto. 
       FIG. 1  shows a motorcycle  10  according to one embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the motorcycle  10  includes a seat subassembly  100 , a front end subassembly  400 , and an engine and drive train subassembly  700 . The seat subassembly  100  is attached to the engine and drive train subassembly  700  using only 4 bolts  105 . Thus, the seat subassembly  100  can be disconnected from the engine and drive train subassembly  700  quickly and easily. In contrast to conventional motorcycles which include a main frame that all of the components are connected to, the motorcycle  10  does not include any main frame. The subassemblies  100 ,  400 , and  700  are directly connected to each other, which eliminates the need for a main frame. Thus, cost, weight, and labor of using a main frame are eliminated from the motorcycle  10 . 
       FIG. 1  also shows structural conduits for running the electrical wires throughout the motorcycle  10 . The front end subassembly  400  includes conduits E and F which supply power to the headlights and carry commands from the handlebar controls. Note that the front end subassembly  400  includes a motorcycle work. 
       FIG. 2  shows the sides of engine and drive train subassembly  700 . On one side of the motorcycle  10 , a clear cam chest  705  allows a view of a plurality of cams  710  beneath. On opposing side of the motorcycle  10 , a clear case  715  allows a view of a clutch drive  720 . 
       FIG. 3  shows front and back end views of the motorcycle  10 . The front view shows a set of light emitting diode (LED) headlights  410 . The rear view shows a set of turn signals  750  in their off position (turn signals  750  rotate out of the subassembly  700  when activated, as shown in  FIG. 12 .) A rear view camera  760  is integrated into a center rear of the subassembly  700 . 
       FIG. 5  shows that front end assembly  400  includes a shaft  420  that is rigid and connects to the subassembly  100 , with the motorcycle fork supporting the shaft  420  and the shaft  420  extending from the motorcycle fork such that the shaft  420  is non-perpendicular to a ground surface on which a front wheel rests. Thus, the front end assembly  400  is not directly connected to subassembly  700 , allowing for quicker and easier assembly and disassembly. Note that the shaft  420  can be internally hollow or filled. The shaft  420  is tubular and can be solid or perforated. 
       FIG. 6  shows a main handlebar assembly  500 , which is connected to the front end assembly  400 . The assembly  500  includes control buttons B, a fluid valve control cover C, a reservoir cap D, a handlebar with an internal throttle F, and a hand control G and H. The hand control G and H send commands to a braking system. The throttle F sends commands to the engine. Control buttons B may be for any other controls needed, such as turn signals and the starter. 
       FIG. 7  describes various features of the assembly  500 . 
       FIG. 8  shows various details of the LED headlight assembly  410 . The LED headlight assembly  410  includes multiple LEDs  412 , for example, six. Other numbers of LEDs are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
       FIG. 9  shows that the front end subassembly  400  is connected to the subassembly  100  by only shaft  420 . This allows the subassembly  400  to be completely constructed separate from the rest of the motorcycle  10  and then connected to be fully complete. This allows for more efficient manufacturing, as well as more efficient maintenance and repair. 
       FIG. 10  shows that the subassembly  100  includes an opening  119  that receives the shaft  420  of the subassembly  400 . A lock bolt  120  then is attached to the shaft  420  to quickly and easily secure the subassembly  400  to the subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a front suspension support  480 , which allows for a single point connection to the subassembly  100 . One or more wires from the subassembly  100  run through the support  480  to the subassembly  400  to, for example, provide power to the LED headlights  410 . As shown, the front suspension support  480  includes a pair of tubular portions coupled to each other a via third tubular portion that is positioned between the pair of tubular portion and secured to the pair of tubular portions via pair of corresponding brackets, which can include metal, alloys, or other materials. 
       FIG. 12  shows that the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  can be located along a range of positions. When the motorcycle  10  is off, the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  are located within apertures in the subassembly  100  such that an outer surface of the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the subassembly  100 . When the motorcycle  10  is turned on, the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  rotate out to extend from the subassembly  100  at positions C and D, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  may be illuminated at this time. After a period of time, the front lights  740  or the rear lights  750  lights may be turned off. The front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  may also be illuminated when a driver signals a turn, which may be via the main handlebar assembly  500 . In a similar manner, when a warning light is activated by the driver, such as via the main handlebar assembly  500 , some, most, or all of the front lights  740  or the rear lights  750  may be illuminated. When the motorcycle  10  is turned off, some, most, or all of the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  may be rotated back into the subassembly  100  such that the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  are substantially flush with the outer surface of the subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 13  shows various details of a location of a servo that drives the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  into and out of the subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the front lights  740  and the rear lights  750  both extended and recessed, as well as the rear view camera  760 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a display  150  that is mounted on a top front of the subassembly  100  such that the display  150  is easily viewable and accessible to the driver when driving. The display  150  is used to display, among other things, a still image or a video captured by the rear view camera  760 . The display  150  may also display other information, such as current speed, fuel remaining, a map, infotainment icons, or others. Other display functions are within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 16  shows a passenger peg  170  in both extended and collapsed positions. The passenger peg  170  is extended when a passenger is going to ride behind the driver. The passenger peg  170  is a safe place for the passenger to put their feet while riding. As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the collapsed position, an outer surface of the passenger peg  170  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a three part steel structural support  180  that is located within a passenger seat portion of the subassembly  100 . As the passenger seat extends a substantial distance over a rear tire, the support  180  is included within the passenger seat to provide for extra support. The support  180  includes a steel cylinder  182  that may laterally extend from one side of the passenger seat to the other. The cylinder  182  may or may not have closed ends. The cylinder  182  is connected to an upper support arm  184  and a lower support arm  186 . The upper support arm  184  and the lower support arm  186  are connected within the subassembly  100  closer to a connection point to the subassembly  700 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a rotation of a gas tank  200  around an axis  210 , which extends lateral to the motorcycle  10 . Initially, the display  150  may need to be rotated out in order to minimize interference. Then, the gas tank  200  can be rotated up to reveal an engine work area  250 . The area  250  provides access to engine parts and electronics, such as an illustrated air filter. This configuration allows for easier maintenance than conventional motorcycles, and also allows for controlled air flow to the air filter. 
       FIG. 19  shows an engine  800  which is part of the subassembly  700 . On top of the engine  800  is a heat barrier  810 , which is located between the engine  800  and the seat assembly  100 . The heat barrier  810  includes a heat insulating material, such as Fabreeka®, sold by Fabreeka International, Inc. However, note that other suitable materials may be used, as known to skilled artisans. The heat barrier  810  effectively prevents engine heat from warming the subassembly  100 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a plurality of heat dissipation devices of the motorcycle  10 . A set of rocker boxes are located within the subassembly  700  and have a set of vertical fins A which extend into the subassembly  100  and dissipate heat when air within the subassembly  100  passes over them. The air enters the subassembly  100  through a ram air entry C. The set of rocker boxes also include a set of horizontal fins B which dissipate heat when external air passes over them. 
       FIG. 20A  shows close up views of the rocker boxes A, with vertical fins and horizontal fins.  FIGS. 21 and 22  depict the subassembly  700 . In particular, an external view of an engine case  850  is presented. The engine case  850  includes an exhaust passageway  880 . To prevent heat from being transferred between an exhaust and an engine  800 , a ram air passageway  860  runs between the exhaust passageway  880  and the engine  800 . The ram air passageway  860  includes a set of air entrances A and B, and an air exit C.  FIG. 20A  shows an air flow  870  that runs through the air passageway  860  from the set of air entrances A and B to the exit C between the engine  800  and the exhaust passageway  880 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates that the engine  800  includes at least two pistons, each with a separate exhaust passageway  880  that runs through a steel header pipe C. A carbon foam sleeve B may be located within the exhaust passageway  880  to prevent heat from the exhaust from transferring to the engine  800 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , a top portion of each exhaust passage is connected to the engine  800  by exhaust turn A. As further shown, an internal configuration of each exhaust turn A may be designed to provide optimal performance by changing an exhaust pressure. 
       FIGS. 24 and 25  show a kickstand  885  in both collapsed and extended positions. When collapsed, an outer surface of the kickstand  885  is substantially flush with the outer surface of subassembly  700 . 
       FIGS. 26 and 29  show a foot control assembly  890 . The assembly  890  receives commands from the driver&#39;s foot and communicates them to a rear brake. The assembly  890  is contained in an engine block. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  show a set of oil passages within the subassembly  700 . In contrast to conventional motorcycles, all of the oil passages are internal to the subassembly  700 . That is, there are no oil lines extending from the engine block, traversing an outside of the engine block, and then reconnecting to another location on the engine block. This configuration allows for use of less oil, and a more reliable oil supply and a source of leaks is removed. 
       FIGS. 30 and 32  illustrate a transmission assembly  1000  of the motorcycle  10 . The transmission assembly  1000  includes only a single side cover  1010 , to which various transmission components are connected laterally. This configuration provides for omission of a second transmission cover, which saves space and weight.  FIG. 30  also shows a small ratchet paw  1040  which is used to change gears, and a main shaft  1030  which interacts with a clutch drive. A subassembly  1020  encapsulates a detent and neutral switch into a component that can be attached to the single side cover  1010 . This configuration also allows omission of a second side cover. 
       FIG. 31  shows a ring gear  915  of a planetary gear  910  of the motorcycle  10  directly engaged with a starter gear  920 . This allows for omission of additional gears, and thus a flexibility to change a distance between the planetary gear  910  and the starter gear  920 . 
       FIG. 32  shows the transmission assembly  1000  connected to a single side cover  1010 . This configuration can be separately constructed and then installed into the motorcycle  10  and can be easily removed therefrom for maintenance. A left side bevel drive assembly  1050  is connected to a universal drive in a spline arm. This configuration allows commands from the spline arm to change the direction of power (i.e. put the motorcycle in reverse). 
       FIG. 33  shows a structural bridge A, which is connected to a top portion of the subassembly  700 . The bridge A covers a rear suspension to keep the rear suspension free of debris, while also providing structural support to various extending portions of the subassembly  700  that connect to each side of the rear suspension. 
       FIG. 34  shows a rear wheel assembly which includes an anti-lock braking (ABS) sensor B and a tone wheel A integrated into a drive subassembly. This configuration eliminates a need for conventional bracket supports for these components and allows complete encapsulation of these components by the drive subassembly. 
       FIG. 36  shows a set of form finishing washers  701  used in the subassembly  700 . The form finishing washers  701  allow for submerged bolt heads even when countersinking is not possible due to a geometry of a bolt location. 
       FIGS. 37 and 38  show a rear wheel assembly of subassembly  700 . The rear wheel assembly includes a single sided rear arm structure with the structural bridge shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     The single swing arm structure shown in  FIG. 39  allows for installation of different sized rear wheels without any structural changes to the motorcycle  10 . A set of form parts  980  can be swapped out for each other when different wheels are attached. 
       FIG. 40  shows an installation of the structural bridge shown in  FIG. 33  to complete the subassembly  700 . 
     In some embodiments, various functions or acts can take place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation of one or more apparatuses or systems. In some embodiments, a portion of a given function or act can be performed at a first device or location, and a remainder of the function or act can be performed at one or more additional devices or locations. 
     Various corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in various claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Various embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain various principles of this disclosure and various practical applications thereof, and to enable others of ordinary skill in a pertinent art to understand this disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to a particular use contemplated. 
     Various diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be many variations to such diagrams or steps (or operations) described therein without departing from various spirits of this disclosure. For instance, various steps can be performed in a differing order or steps can be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of this disclosure. People skilled in an art to which this disclosure relates, both now and in future, can make various improvements and enhancements which fall within various scopes of various claims which follow. 
     This detailed description has been presented for various purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive and/or limited to this disclosure in various forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques and structures will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in an art without departing from a scope and spirit of this disclosure as set forth in various claims that follow. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are contemplated as being a part of this disclosure. A scope of this disclosure is defined by various claims, which include known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at a time of filing of this disclosure.