Direction Indicator Elastic Mounting for Tip-Over Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direction indicators on saddle riding vehicles, such as motorcycles, are prone to causing damage to the vehicle body when they collide with the road surface during a tip-over, as the stress from the impact is concentrated on the fixed portion, leading to unnecessary repairs.

Innovation Solution

A direction indicator system featuring a resilient main unit elastically supported by a grommet, with a stiff metal retainer and fastening member, includes a fragile portion designed to absorb stress and deform, thereby minimizing damage to the vehicle body by redirecting impact forces away from the fixing points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the direction indicator is fixed rigidly to the vehicle body, then the fixing is simple and reliable, but the vehicle body suffers damage when the direction indicator collides with the road surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to vehicle body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an elastic member (grommet) between the direction indicator and the vehicle body that provides cushioning before impact occurs. This elastic member deforms during collision to absorb impact energy, preventing the force from being transmitted to the vehicle body. The elastic member is specifically designed with appropriate hardness and dimensions to provide sufficient cushioning while maintaining reliable fixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a retainer as an intermediary component between the direction indicator and the vehicle body. The retainer has a specific structure with a clamping portion that holds the direction indicator and a fixing portion that attaches to the vehicle body. This intermediary structure allows the direction indicator to be securely fixed while isolating the vehicle body from direct impact forces through the elastic member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the direction indicator is fixed to the front cowl, then the mounting is straightforward, but the front cowl area suffers damage during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoiddamage to front cowl

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mounting structure into distinct components: the direction indicator main unit, the elastic member, the retainer, and the vehicle body. This segmentation allows the impact absorption function to be separated from the mounting function. The retainer is specifically designed with a clamping portion and fixing portion that can be easily assembled, maintaining mounting simplicity while protecting the front cowl through the elastic member's impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid fixing structure is used, then the direction indicator remains stable during normal operation, but stress concentrates on the fixing portion during upset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection indicator stabilityVSAvoidstress concentration on fixing portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the fixing system by introducing an elastic member with specific hardness (e.g., 30-70 shore A) and dimensions. This elastic member allows controlled deformation under stress, changing the stress distribution from concentrated to distributed. The retainer's structure with specific wall thickness and geometry further modifies stress distribution to prevent concentration at the fixing portion while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design reduces repair costs by ensuring that only the direction indicator main unit is deformed or damaged during a collision, preventing damage to the vehicle body components like the front cowl, rear cowl, and rear fender, thus maintaining their integrity.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member for elastically supporting the direction indicator main unit to a fixing portion on a vehicle body side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8568004B2Direction indicator and saddle riding type vehicle including same

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A direction indicator includes a direction indicator main unit, a grommet for elastically supporting the direction indicator main unit to a front cowl on a vehicle body side, a retainer for removably fixing the front cowl on the vehicle body side and the direction indicator main unit via the grommet, and a shouldered bolt for fastening the retainer and the direction indicator main unit. A fastening portion of the direction indicator main unit to which the retainer is fastened with the shouldered bolt has a groove that serves as a weakened or fragile portion that is deformed or damaged when the direction indicator engages the ground.