Integrated Air Cleaner and Seat Support for Straddle Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straddle-type vehicles face challenges in increasing the volumetric capacity of the air cleaner while maintaining easy rider ground reach, due to space constraints and the difficulty in enlarging the air cleaner upwardly or rearwardly without compromising the seat position.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner and seat support portion are formed integrally, allowing for increased air cleaner size upwardly without raising the seat, with the seat load transmitted through load-bearing portions to prevent shearing and maintain sealing performance, and the air cleaner is positioned to optimize space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the air cleaner is enlarged upwardly to increase volumetric capacity, then the performance of the engine is improved, but the seat position becomes higher, worsening the ground reach of the rider
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner and seat support portion are merged into a single integrated component. This allows the air cleaner to utilize the space previously occupied by the separate seat support member, enabling enlargement of the air cleaner upwardly without raising the seat position, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing air cleaner volume and maintaining rider ground reach
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated component serves multiple functions: it acts as both the seat support portion and the air cleaner housing. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to provide both mechanical support for the seat and contain the air cleaner, enabling space optimization and resolving the spatial conflict between these two components
2Volume of stationary object
If the air cleaner is enlarged rearwardly to increase volumetric capacity, then the performance of the engine is improved, but the fuel tank and other components cannot be properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the air cleaner and seat support portion, the air cleaner can extend rearwardly under the seat without encroaching on the space needed for the fuel tank and other components, which can be positioned in front of the seat or in other available spaces
3Volume of stationary object
If the seat support portion is formed integrally with the air cleaner to increase volumetric capacity, then the performance of the engine is improved, but the weight load from the seat may cause shearing at the joint surfaces of the air cleaner
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated component employs different local qualities: a hard, rigid material for the seat support portion to bear weight loads, and a softer, more flexible material for the air cleaner housing to maintain sealing. This local differentiation allows the same component to satisfy both structural and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated air cleaner and seat support portion is formed using composite materials with different properties - a hard material for the load-bearing seat support portion and a softer material for the air cleaner housing. This composite construction allows the hard portion to resist shearing from seat loads while the softer portion maintains sealing at joint surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
A straddle-type vehicle includes: an air cleaner (70) being disposed between a left seat frame (40L) and a right seat frame (40R) and below a seat (10), including an upper surface (71 U) having a front end portion (71 F) recessed downward and disposed rearward of a recessed portion (29) of a body cover (28); an engaging portion disposed on a back surface of the seat (10); a seat support portion (73) engaged with the engaging portion and formed integrally with the air cleaner (70), the seat support portion (71) being disposed so as to be spaced apart from the front end portion (71 F) and overlapping with the front end portion (71 F) as viewed in plan of the vehicle, and the seat support portion (71) supporting the seat (10) in an openable and closable manner; a left seat load bearing portion (76L) extending downward from the seat support portion (73) and being supported by the left seat frame (40L); and a right seat load bearing portion (76R) extending downward from the seat support portion (73) and being supported by the right seat frame (40R).