Hi Mike, You may also be interested in the following 4-bar pivot trike http://www.mosquito-velomobiles.comAnother early mention of an experimental 4-bar pivot can be found in the IHPV archives, volume 8, issue 2, 1990, article by Cornelius.
In fact, I think that the 'znb' bike is more a tetrahedrical pivoting mechanism, something in-between 4-bars and 8-bars: 4 bars below, but connected to a point (or a nearly vertical axis?) above, so that the whole mechanism moves in 3D space too, as far as I understand.
You may discover new cool riding behaviours with your 8-bar virtual pivot axis. Good luck with the realisation and adjustments...!
Pascal On Mon, 28 Mar 2011, mchannon wrote:
Hi I have been thinking for a few years of building a bike using a 4-bar type pivot. My idea is to use two sets of 4-bar pivots, one above the other. That way the virtual steering axis could be located in space by the two virtual pivot points. I would like to make the bike so that the attachment points for the links could be adjusted for width at both ends. In that way the virtual steering axis could be inclined at any desired angle and at any distance in front of or behind the front wheel (within reason). In one bike, one could have a virtual python, a vitrual Tom Traylor style bike or indeed a RWS bike (depending on your definition of RWS!). Mike Channon London, Ontario, Canada At 09:40 AM 3/28/2011 +0800, you wrote:Hi Vi, I had seen this one before. The whole blog about this construction can be found there (in french): http://velorizontal.bbfr.net/t7559-tad-le-znb In fact, this is not a real pivot, but a trapezoidal mechanism (two nonparallel pivoting bars connected to the rear wheel axis on one end and to the frame on the other end), creating a "virtual pivot point" towards the front. (If the bars are parallel (making a rectangle), the virtual privot point is set to infinity and the rear wheel is just translated (offset to the left or right) without modifying its angle, whereas if the two bars connect to the frame at the same single point (making a triangle), this point is the (now real) pivot. Any configuration in between (making a trapeze) displaces the 'virtual' pivot point in between...) Somebody else has made some 3D graphics and movies about the same (as well as another similar) mechanism: http://oliviercresson.free.fr/s4bc.htm So actually one might not qualify this as RWS as the effective pivot might actually be located close to the front wheel. As somebody suggests in the blog, though, what might matter for that definition is more the main weight distribution. Debatable and debated... I also think RWS is in principle a good idea, but it might be tricky to find good configurations for easy rideability (whatever one means with that - the french guy from the video comments that he is the only one so far able to ride his bike. Of course, a matter of training, but also perhaps a 'mother-child' love and determination relationship? :) I'd be interested in your results should you try to make one of these! Regards, Pascal p.s. sorry for the empty posts - I am not sure why my emails to python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx usually bounce back to me with freelist management instructions? On Sun, 27 Mar 2011, Vi Vuong wrote:This one (znb) seems quite controllable, pivot slightly pointed to therear,and trail ~zero or negative, and probably gigantic turning circle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGlNhdxesbc&feature=related A RWS python should retain the best features, hands-free, self-centering,low...RWS seems more difficult because of no direct control of both wheels liketheFWD version by the body / legs. However, if it works, we can gain quitea fewbenefits - less PSI / speed, positive trail, bigger front wheel, lots ofspacefor pivot behind the seat and even handle bar... Should I give it a try? Vi [python] Re: dennis renner * From: Dirk Bonné <dirk.bonne@xxxxxxx> * To: python@xxxxxxxxxxxxx * Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 07:25:52 +0200 The experiment is as follows: hold rear part vertical and turn the frontpart ->on a python we get seat rise. But if we hold the front part vertical,then turnthe rear part, then the seat will lower on a python. On a RWS the bulkof theweight is on the front part, so leaning of the front part on turning will be small (to balance we need to shift weight). So from this assumption therewouldbe no self centering effect on dennis bike (and the cal poly bike it would have). Dirk============================================================ This is the Python Mailinglist //www.freelists.org/list/python Listmaster: Jürgen Mages jmages@xxxxxx To unsubscribe send an empty mail to python-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the subject field. ============================================================