Elastomeric Motorcycle Engine Cover with Segmented Retainers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle and ATV engine covers are prone to damage from riders' boots and other objects, requiring costly replacements and time-consuming removal and reinstallation of threaded fasteners, which can lead to stripped or damaged threaded openings.

Innovation Solution

A removable protective cover kit with a central portion and a peripheral flange made of elastomeric material, featuring oblong retainers that secure with threaded fasteners, allowing easy installation and removal by flexing the flange to engage and disengage the retainers, eliminating the need for tool-based removal and reducing damage to threaded openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid metal hard covers are used to protect engine components, then protection strength is improved, but the covers become prone to scratching and damage from external objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection strengthVSAvoidscratching and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover system combines a rigid metal hard cover with a separate flexible cover made of elastomeric material. The rigid cover provides structural strength and protection, while the flexible cover adds scratch resistance and absorbs impacts from external objects like boots and branches, resolving the contradiction between protection strength and susceptibility to damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible cover made of elastomeric material is introduced to wrap around the rigid metal hard cover. This flexible layer absorbs scratches and impacts from external objects, preventing damage to the underlying rigid cover while maintaining the protective function, thus resolving the contradiction between rigidity and scratch resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If threaded fasteners are used to secure hard covers, then secure attachment is improved, but removal and reinstallation becomes time-consuming and may damage threaded openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into multiple components: the hard cover, the flexible cover, and retainers positioned at each fastener location. The retainers have oblong openings that receive the threaded fasteners and extend outward to engage with the flexible cover, allowing the flexible cover to be installed and removed independently without removing the hard cover, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Retainers are introduced as intermediary components between the threaded fasteners and the flexible cover. These retainers have oblong openings that receive the fasteners and extend outward to engage with the flexible cover, enabling the flexible cover to be quickly installed and removed by flexing, without requiring removal of the hard cover or risking damage to threaded openings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If frequent replacement of damaged covers is performed, then protection reliability is maintained, but threaded openings become stripped or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidthreaded opening integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the replaceable flexible cover from the permanent hard cover with threaded openings. The flexible cover can be frequently replaced by engaging and disengaging retainers without removing threaded fasteners from the hard cover, maintaining protection reliability while preserving threaded opening integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Retainers serve as intermediaries that enable the flexible cover to be frequently installed and removed without contacting or stressing the threaded openings in the hard cover. The retainers engage with the flexible cover and guide it onto the hard cover, preventing direct stress on threaded openings during frequent replacements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables quick and tool-free replacement of damaged covers, reducing maintenance time and preventing further damage to threaded fasteners, while maintaining protection for engine components.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of the peripheral flange comprises an elastomeric material such that the removable cover can be installed and removed by flexing the peripheral flange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9605745B1Removable protective cover for motorcyle and all-terrain vehicle engines

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 BURNS ANDRE KEVIN

AI summary

A removable protective cover for engines and/or transmissions includes a central portion and a flexible peripheral flange that extends transversely from the central portion. The peripheral flange includes an engagement surface formed by a groove or other suitable feature on an inner side of the peripheral flange. A plurality of teardrop shaped washers or retainers have protruding portions that engage the groove to removably retain the cover on the engine. At least a portion of the peripheral flange comprises an elastomeric material such that the removable cover can be installed and removed by flexing the peripheral flange to cause the teardrop shaped washers to engage and disengage the groove.