Straddled Electric Vehicle Battery Positioning Between Head Pipe and Pivot Shaft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straddled electric vehicles face challenges in increasing the capacity of the battery due to spatial constraints, particularly in positioning the battery box between the head pipe and the pivot shaft, where the motor unit is often located below the battery box, limiting the size and capacity of the battery.

Innovation Solution

The battery is positioned above the controller within the vehicle body frame, with specific frame members extending to accommodate the battery's increased size, allowing it to overlap the frame members and extend rearward, thereby increasing the battery's capacity by optimizing its placement in the vehicle's spatial layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the motor unit is positioned below the battery box, then the vehicle structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the battery box size and battery capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structure simplicityVSAvoidbattery capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the motor unit from below the battery box to beside the battery box, changing the spatial arrangement from a vertical stacking configuration to a horizontal side-by-side configuration. This dimensional change allows the battery box to extend further rearward without being constrained by the motor unit's position, thereby increasing battery capacity while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the battery box size is increased to accommodate larger battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the vehicle body frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidvehicle body frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the power supply unit with the vehicle body frame by positioning it between the head pipe and pivot shaft, and having it overlap with frame members. This merging approach allows the battery box to be structurally integrated with the existing frame components, increasing battery capacity without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If the power supply unit is positioned between the head pipe and pivot shaft, then the battery capacity can be increased, but the space available for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidavailable space for components
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the specific spatial characteristics of the region between the head pipe and pivot shaft, positioning the power supply unit to overlap with frame members in this localized area. This local optimization allows efficient use of otherwise underutilized space, increasing battery capacity without significantly impacting space availability for other components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3098150B1Straddled electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3098150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3098150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery (66) with increased capacity is to be positioned in a straddled electric vehicle (10). A drive unit (22) is provided on a rear arm (24) for supporting a rear wheel (11 R) such that the rear wheel (11 R) is rotatable. A power supply unit (20) is located in a vehicle body frame (12) for supplying electric power to the drive unit (22). The drive unit (22) includes a motor (221). The motor (221) overlaps the rear wheel (11 R) in a side view of the vehicle. The power supply unit (20) includes a battery (66) and a controller (68). The controller (68) supplies electric power stored in the battery to the drive unit (22). The vehicle body frame (12) includes a head pipe (13) and a pivot shaft (64). The pivot shaft (64) supports the rear arm (24) such that the rear arm (24) is swingable. The power supply unit (20) is located between the head pipe (13) and pivot shaft (64) in a side view of the vehicle (10).