Flexible Hydraulic Pipe Routing for Compact Motorcycle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing saddle type vehicles face challenges in compact design due to the size and placement of hydraulic pipes, which can increase vehicle height or width, and require additional components for heat shielding and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible tube disposed in a curved state above the swing member and power unit, which deflects towards the vehicle center when the swing member rocks, reducing vehicle body cover size, and integration of a rear fender with a forward extension to shield heat and facilitate maintenance, while avoiding the radiator and hydraulic pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid hydraulic pipe is used to connect the brake master cylinder and hydraulic brake, then the hydraulic connection is stable, but the vehicle height or width must be increased to accommodate the pipe routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible hose instead of a rigid hydraulic pipe to connect the brake master cylinder and hydraulic brake. This flexible hose can bend and flex to accommodate the swing member's rocking motion while maintaining hydraulic connection stability, eliminating the need to increase vehicle height or width for pipe routing clearance
2Ease of manufacture
If the hydraulic pipe is routed along the swing member, then the connection is direct, but additional heat shielding components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat shielding function from a separate component and integrates it into the existing swing arm structure. The swing arm is designed with a heat shielding portion that shields the hydraulic pipe from the power unit's heat, eliminating the need for additional heat shielding components while maintaining pipe routing simplicity
3Volume of moving object
If the hydraulic pipe is positioned close to the power unit, then space is saved, but heat from the power unit affects the hydraulic pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat shielding function with the swing arm structure by providing a heat shielding portion on the swing arm. This allows the hydraulic pipe to be positioned close to the power unit for compactness while the swing arm's heat shielding portion protects the pipe from thermal exposure
4Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid pipe structure is used for the hydraulic connection, then structural stability is maintained, but maintenance accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible hose for the hydraulic connection that maintains structural stability through its construction while allowing easier maintenance. The flexible nature of the hose enables better accessibility for inspection and replacement compared to rigid pipe structures, and the hose can be routed through the swing arm structure for protected positioning
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 configuration allows for a more compact vehicle design without increasing height, reduces the number of parts, and enhances maintenance accessibility by isolating heat sources and improving pipe handling.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible tube is deflected when the swing member rocks upwardly and downwardly to absorb the rocking motion of the swing member
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pipe connected to the hydraulic brake and disposed along one side of the paired left and right rear frames and further along the swing member for transmitting a hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic brake
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A motorcycle (10) includes a hydraulic brake (103) for braking a rear wheel (16). A frame side supporting portion (101) for supporting a hydraulic pipe (94) is provided on rear frames (34L, 34R) while a swing arm side supporting portion (102) for supporting the hydraulic pipe (94) is provided on a swing arm (26). The hydraulic pipe (94) includes a flexible tube (97) extending from the frame side supporting portion (101) to the swing arm side supporting portion (102). The flexible tube (97) is disposed in a curved state to the left side in a vehicle widthwise direction and is deflected to absorb, when a unit swing (22) is rocked upwardly and downwardly, the rocking motion of the unit swing (22).