Flexible-Finger Seat Base for Fuel Tank Interference Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats for straddle vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges in securely mounting to the underlying frame while accommodating the rigid fuel tank and maintaining aesthetic conformity, especially when user-customizable configurations are required.
Innovation Solution
A seat base with a peripheral edge portion partitioned into flexible fingers that conform to the shape of the interfering body structure, such as the fuel tank, allowing elastic deflection during assembly to accommodate interference and secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the seat base is made rigid to ensure secure mounting to the frame, then mounting stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate the fuel tank shape is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The seat base is divided into multiple flexible fingers that can independently deflect and conform to the fuel tank shape, allowing the rigid seat base structure to accommodate curved surfaces while maintaining overall mounting stability
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral edge portion of the seat base is made flexible with multiple fingers while the rest of the seat base remains rigid, creating different mechanical properties in different locations to simultaneously achieve mounting stability and fuel tank accommodation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat base is made flexible to accommodate the fuel tank shape, then adaptability is improved, but mounting security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fingers are segmented from the main seat base structure, allowing them to deflect independently to accommodate the fuel tank while the main structure maintains secure mounting points to the frame
Solution Approach 2:
Only the peripheral edge portion is made flexible with multiple fingers, while the central and mounting portions remain rigid, ensuring that flexibility is localized where needed for fuel tank accommodation without compromising overall mounting security
3Ease of operation
If the seat base is designed with multiple flexible fingers, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fingers are integrated as a single unified structure rather than separate components, combining multiple functional elements into one piece that simplifies assembly while providing the necessary flexibility to accommodate the fuel tank
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible fingers utilize thin-walled structures that provide sufficient flexibility to conform to the fuel tank shape while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the need for complex reinforcement features
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
Facilitates secure and aesthetic mounting of the seat assembly to the vehicle frame by accommodating the shape of the fuel tank, enhancing user-customizability and assembly ease.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible fingers provided in a peripheral edge portion of the seat base are elastically deflected to accommodate interference between the seat assembly and an interfering portion of the body structure
Data Source
AI summary
A straddle vehicle including a seat assembly with at least one seating area for a person straddling the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat base, and one or more upholstery layers disposed atop the seat base. A frame of the straddle vehicle supports the seat assembly. The seat base and the frame form a mount for securing the seat assembly into an assembled position with respect to the frame. A body structure is coupled to the frame in an assembled position directly adjacent to a peripheral edge portion of the seat assembly such that, in their respective assembled positions, the peripheral edge portion contacts an interfering portion of the body structure. The seat base, in the peripheral edge portion, is partitioned into a plurality of flexible fingers that conform to a shape of the interfering portion of the body structure.