Straddled Vehicle Footboard Rigidity via Side Cover Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Straddled vehicles face challenges in maintaining a large banking angle and sufficient maintenance space for the power unit while ensuring high rigidity of the rearward extensions of the flat footboard, as enlarging these extensions in either direction compromises either the banking angle or the maintenance space.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a side cover with a downward extension that connects to and supports the rearward extension, preventing riders and passengers from stepping on it, thus increasing rigidity without enlarging the extensions, allowing for a larger banking angle and maintenance space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rearward extensions are enlarged outward in the width direction to increase rigidity, then the rigidity of the rearward extensions is improved, but the banking angle of the vehicle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from solving the rigidity problem in the width direction (enlarging extensions outward) to solving it in the length direction (extending extensions rearward). By adding length to the rearward extensions instead of width, the patent achieves increased rigidity through greater structural span and support while preserving the vehicle's banking angle geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rearward extensions by increasing their length in the rearward direction rather than their width. This parameter change (from width to length) fundamentally alters how rigidity is achieved, allowing the extensions to gain structural strength through increased length and better load distribution without affecting the width-dependent banking angle.
2Strength
If the rearward extensions are enlarged inward in the width direction to increase rigidity, then the rigidity of the rearward extensions is improved, but the maintenance space for the power unit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the spatial conflict by shifting the rigidity enhancement from the width dimension (which conflicts with maintenance space) to the length dimension (rearward direction). By extending the rearward extensions further back rather than widening them inward, the patent achieves the necessary structural rigidity while leaving the width-wise maintenance clearance around the power unit intact.
3Weight of moving object
If the rearward extensions are made thin to reduce weight, then the weight of the vehicle is reduced, but the rigidity of the rearward extensions is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rearward extensions by significantly increasing their length in the rearward direction. This length parameter change compensates for the thin cross-section, allowing the extensions to achieve sufficient rigidity through greater span and support while maintaining low weight. The increased length provides better leverage and structural efficiency despite the reduced cross-sectional area.
Data Source
AI summary
A straddled vehicle (1) includes: a flat footboard (34) including a first footrest (37) for a rider; an under-seat cover (60); a left side cover (46L); and a second left footrest (56L) for a pillion passenger. The second left footrest (56L) is disposed rearward relative to a front end (60F) of the under-seat cover (60), and downward relative to a second seat portion (14) for the pillion passenger. The footboard (34) includes a first rearward extension (38L) passing through a region below the under-seat cover (60) in a side view and a region laterally outward of the under-seat cover (60) in a plan view, and extending rearward toward the second left footrest (56L). The side cover (46L) includes a first downward extension (47L) extending downward toward the footboard (34). The first downward extension (47L) passes through a region laterally outward of the first rearward extension (38L) and is connected thereto.