Exhaust Sensor Positioning Under Radiator for Compact Saddle Vehicle Layout

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional saddle riding vehicles, the exhaust sensor protrudes from the engine's exhaust outlet, limiting the arrangement of nearby components like the radiator and making it difficult to compactly arrange them, while also seeking effective protection for the exhaust sensor at positions different from the exhaust outlet.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust sensor is positioned on the engine's exhaust pipe in front of the engine hanger portion and underneath the radiator, with parts of the sensor overlapping the hanger portion, allowing for compact radiator arrangement and effective protection by the radiator and engine hanger portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the exhaust sensor is disposed to protrude from the exhaust outlet of the engine, then the exhaust sensor can be positioned in the exhaust outlet, but the degree of freedom of the arrangement of nearby components like the radiator is limited and it is difficult to compactly arrange them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust sensor protectionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust sensor is repositioned from the traditional exhaust outlet location to a new spatial arrangement underneath the radiator and overlapping the engine hanger portion. This dimensional relocation in the vertical and longitudinal axes provides new arrangement freedom while maintaining sensor functionality through the exhaust pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust sensor is divided into multiple sections: a detection portion inserted into the exhaust pipe and an outer end portion extending outward. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned at different locations, with the outer end portion overlapping the engine hanger portion while the detection portion remains functional within the exhaust pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the exhaust sensor is arranged at a position different from the exhaust outlet, then component arrangement flexibility is improved, but effective protection of the exhaust sensor becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidexhaust sensor protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust sensor arrangement is merged with the engine hanger portion structure. The sensor's outer end portion overlaps the engine hanger portion, utilizing the existing structural element as a protective barrier while maintaining the sensor's detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engine hanger portion serves as an intermediary protective structure between potential hazards and the exhaust sensor. By positioning the sensor to overlap the hanger portion, the hanger acts as a shield without interfering with the sensor's detection of exhaust air through the exhaust pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the exhaust sensor is positioned underneath the radiator, then compact arrangement of the radiator is achieved, but the sensor may be exposed to harmful factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent compactnessVSAvoidexhaust sensor exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust sensor positioning is merged with the radiator and engine hanger portion structures. The sensor is positioned underneath the radiator and overlapping the engine hanger portion, creating a layered protective arrangement where both the radiator and hanger portion serve as protective barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engine hanger portion is positioned beforehand to serve as a protective cushion for the exhaust sensor. By designing the sensor to overlap the hanger portion, protective coverage is established in advance against potential harmful factors from multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11260929B2Saddle riding vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A saddle riding vehicle includes a body frame, an engine supported by the body frame, an exhaust sensor that detects exhaust air of the engine, and a radiator for the engine. The engine is supported by an engine hanger portion disposed in the body frame. The exhaust sensor is disposed on an exhaust pipe of the engine at a position on a front with respect to the engine hanger portion and is positioned underneath the radiator. At least a part of the exhaust sensor overlaps the engine hanger portion as viewed in a front view of a vehicle.