Front Fork Through Hole for Headlight Optical Axis Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In saddle-ride type vehicles, the limited space behind the headlight and dense component arrangement make it difficult to create a reliable tool path for adjusting the optical axis, leading to interference and reduced clearances.

Innovation Solution

A through hole in the lower bracket of the front fork allows a tool to access the optical axis adjusting screw from below, providing a reliable tool path even when space is limited or components are densely disposed, enhancing adjustability and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If components related to the headlight are densely disposed to enhance brisk handling, then handling performance is improved, but the space on the back side of the headlight is reduced and tool interference with the vehicle body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling response speedVSAvoidtool accessibility for optical axis adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a tool path that extends in a different spatial dimension by routing the tool path through the front fork structure. Instead of requiring direct rearward access to the headlight, the tool path utilizes the vertical and lateral space created by the front fork's tubular bodies, allowing tool insertion from a different direction and resolving the space constraint caused by dense component disposition.

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

2Speed

If the headlight is disposed adjacently to the head pipe to enhance brisk handling, then handling performance is improved, but clearances among components are reduced and tool path production becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling response speedVSAvoidtool path configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front fork acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates tool access to the optical axis adjusting screw. The tool path is configured to pass through or alongside the front fork's tubular bodies, using this intermediate structure to bridge the gap between the externally accessible area and the headlight's optical axis adjusting mechanism, thereby simplifying the overall tool path configuration despite adjacent component disposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a tool path is created for optical axis adjustment, then adjustability is improved, but structural strength or appearance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical axis adjustabilityVSAvoidfront fork structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tool path is configured to utilize existing structural features of the front fork, such as the tubular bodies and bracket structures, rather than creating new openings or modifications. The path routes through spaces already present in the front fork design, maintaining the structural integrity and appearance of the front fork while providing the necessary access for optical axis adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2878487B1Saddle-ride type vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2878487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2878487B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2878487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A headlight (16) includes a light emitting portion (19) and an optical axis adjusting screw (24) for adjusting an optical axis of the light emitting portion. The optical axis adjusting screw (24) includes a head portion (242) to be disposed on a back-side portion of the headlight (16). A bracket (114) of a front fork (11) includes a through hole (115) bored toward the head portion (242) of the optical axis adjusting screwn (24).