Front Flasher Positioning for Motorcycle Conspicuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The front position lamps on saddle-riding type vehicles, such as motorcycles, are often obstructed by the front cowl, reducing their visibility from certain angles, which affects the conspicuity of the front lighting apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The front flasher is positioned between the headlight and the fuel tank, with a flasher bulb and position light bulb disposed vertically, and the flasher is placed at the front edge of the side portion of the front cowl, crossing the front fork, allowing the bulbs to be spaced apart from the front cowl and utilizing the space between the radiator and cowl for a larger design, while an air duct provides cooling without obstructing visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the front position lamp is disposed downwardly and rearwardly of the front portion of the front cowl, then the structure is compact, but the light from the front position lamp is obscured by the front cowl when viewed from certain angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of front position lampVSAvoidlighting apparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front position lamp is disposed on the side portion of the front cowl rather than on the front surface, utilizing the lateral dimension to escape the shadow zone created by the front cowl's overhang. This side-mounted configuration allows light to be visible from oblique angles without being blocked by the front cowl structure.

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

2Illumination intensity

If the front flasher is disposed larger to improve conspicuity, then visibility is enhanced, but the vehicle width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconspicuity of front flasherVSAvoidvehicle width
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The front flasher is concentrated in a compact, high-intensity configuration on the side portion of the front cowl, creating a localized bright signal that achieves high conspicuity without requiring horizontal expansion. The vertical orientation and focused light output provide sufficient visibility while maintaining narrow vehicle width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the front position lamp is disposed closer to the front cowl for compact design, then space is saved, but the front cowl obstructs the light from the lamp

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing between lamp and cowlVSAvoidvisibility of front position lamp
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The front position lamp is positioned on the side portion of the front cowl rather than on the front surface, utilizing the lateral dimension to escape the shadow zone. This side-mounted configuration allows the lamp to be disposed close to the cowl structure while remaining visible from oblique angles, as the light path is not blocked by the front cowl's overhang.

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

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 arrangement enhances the conspicuity of the front lighting apparatus by ensuring the lights are less likely to be hidden by the cowl, allowing for a larger design and improved visibility from various angles, while maintaining a narrower vehicle width and effective cooling.

Implementation Method 1

the headlight (35) has an air duct (49) disposed at a lower portion thereof and the front flasher (36) is disposed rearwardly of the air duct (49)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2343233B1saddle-riding type vehicle with front lighting apparatus structure
Publication Date: 2013.12.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2343233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2343233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2343233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To improve, in a front lighting apparatus structure for a saddle-riding type vehicle(1), conspicuity of the front lighting apparatus by inhibiting light from a front position light from being less visible by a front portion of a front cowl(34). A front flasher (36) is disposed between a headlight (35) and a fuel tank (31) in a side view. The front flasher (36) includes a flasher bulb (71) and a position light bulb (72) disposed vertically, the position light bulb (72) being disposed downwardly of the flasher bulb (71).