Front Fork Upper Fender Steering Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle riding type vehicles with upper fenders cannot turn with the front wheel, leading to inadequate blocking of foreign substances such as pebbles and mud, which compromises rider protection and headlight unit coverage.
Innovation Solution
The design allows the front wheel, lower fender, upper fender, and headlight unit to rotate together with the front fork, ensuring they face the same direction, thereby effectively blocking foreign substances and protecting the headlight unit, with the upper fender extending rearward to cool the headlight unit and reduce air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper fender is fixed to the head tube, then the upper fender structure is simple and stable, but the upper fender cannot turn with the front wheel, causing inadequate blocking of foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The upper fender is mounted on the front fork instead of the head tube, allowing it to rotate dynamically with the front wheel. This dynamic mounting enables the upper fender to maintain proper orientation relative to the front wheel during steering, ensuring continuous effective blocking of foreign substances while traveling.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper fender is integrated with the front fork assembly, combining the fender's blocking function with the fork's steering function. This merging allows the upper fender to automatically follow the front wheel's rotation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and blocking effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the upper fender is positioned to block foreign substances effectively, then rider protection is improved, but the headlight unit may be exposed to foreign substances from various directions
Solution Approach 1:
The upper fender is positioned to surround and cover the headlight unit, creating a nested configuration where the fender acts as a protective shell. This nesting arrangement allows the upper fender to block foreign substances from reaching both the rider and the headlight unit simultaneously, protecting both without compromising either function.
3Reliability
If the upper fender is made larger to improve foreign substance blocking, then blocking effectiveness is enhanced, but air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper fender is designed with optimized local geometry, extending rearwardly to provide effective blocking coverage while maintaining a streamlined profile. This local quality optimization ensures that the fender provides maximum blocking effectiveness in critical areas while minimizing overall surface area exposed to airflow, thereby reducing air resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper fender extends in the rearward direction rather than increasing lateral or vertical dimensions. This dimensional strategy provides effective blocking coverage by positioning the fender's trailing edge behind the front wheel, preventing foreign substances from reaching the rider and headlight unit while maintaining a compact profile that minimizes air resistance.
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 enhances the reliability of blocking foreign substances and protects the rider and headlight unit while reducing air resistance and maintaining effective cooling of the headlight unit.
Implementation Method 1
The upper fender extends further rearward than the headlight unit, and defines a space rearward of the headlight unit. This can cool the rear part of the headlight unit effectively.
Data Source
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AI summary
A saddle riding type vehicle (1) including a head tube (13), a front fork (17) rotatably supported by the head tube (13), a handlebar (19) supported by an upper part of the front fork (17), a front wheel (21) supported by a lower part of the front fork (17), a lower fender (23) supported by the front fork (17) for covering an area above the front wheel (21), an upper fender (25) supported by the front fork (17) and disposed above the lower fender (23) and a headlight unit (27) supported by the front fork (17) wherein the front wheel (21), the lower fender (23), the upper fender (25) and the headlight unit (27) are integrally turnable with operation of the handlebar (19).