Straddle Vehicle Fuel Tank Support Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Straddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles, face limitations in component layout flexibility and space utilization due to the obstructive cross member supporting the fuel tank, which hinders the expansion of the air cleaner capacity.
Innovation Solution
The rear of the fuel tank is supported by the seat rails via upwardly extending brackets, eliminating the need for a cross member between the seat rails, allowing for increased space and flexibility in component layout, enabling a larger and more efficiently positioned air cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a cross member is disposed between the seat rails to support the rear of the fuel tank, then the fuel tank can be stably supported, but the layout flexibility of components in the vicinity of the rear of the fuel tank is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cross member that was previously disposed between the seat rails for supporting the fuel tank. Instead, the fuel tank is supported directly by the seat rails through mounting brackets attached to the rails, eliminating the obstructive cross member and freeing up space for component layout while maintaining support stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the support structure from a horizontal cross member between rails to a vertical mounting arrangement where brackets attach to the side of the fuel tank and connect to the seat rails, utilizing the vertical dimension for mounting while clearing the horizontal space between rails for component placement
2Device complexity
If a cross member is disposed between the seat rails to support the fuel tank, then the support structure is simplified, but useless space is produced around the cross member
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is completely removed from the structure. The fuel tank support function is transferred to the seat rails themselves through mounting brackets, eliminating the redundant cross member and its associated useless space while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The support function previously performed by the cross member is merged into the seat rail structure itself. The mounting brackets attach directly to the rails, combining the support and mounting functions into the existing rail structure, eliminating separate support components and their associated space waste
3Area of stationary object
If the air cleaner is disposed in the vicinity of the rear of the fuel tank, then space utilization is improved, but the cross member becomes obstructive making it difficult to increase the capacity of the air cleaner
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member obstructing the air cleaner area is removed. The air cleaner can now be positioned in the previously obstructed area between and around the seat rails, allowing for increased capacity while maintaining efficient space utilization in the vehicle structure
Solution Approach 2:
The air cleaner is positioned to utilize the vertical and lateral space around the seat rails rather than being constrained by the horizontal cross member. This dimensional repositioning allows the air cleaner to expand in capacity while the seat rails provide structural support from above
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle comprising a body frame (11) including a pair of right and left frames (18R,18L), a fuel tank (13) supported, at its front, by the body frame (11), and a seat (14) disposed behind the fuel tank (13), wherein the right and left frames (18R,18L) each have a mounting portion (34R,34L), and the fuel tank has, at its rear, right and left mounted portions (32C) connectable to the mounting portions (34R,34L), respectively, and an upwardly dent recess (32) located between the mounted portions (34R,34L).