Guard Pipe Positioning for Straddle Vehicle Power Unit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straddle type vehicles require a wide space for the guard pipe, which limits their ability to effectively protect the power unit in narrow spaces, especially when the vehicle is overturned or encounters obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A guard pipe is strategically positioned between the radiator and the power unit, attached to the body frame's high-strength areas, such as the engine hanger stay and cross member, extending to cover the maximum width portion of the power unit, and is designed with a load receiving portion and covered with a separate attachment to reduce space requirements and enhance protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guard pipe is provided long in the longitudinal direction, then the protective performance is improved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard pipe is repositioned from a longitudinal arrangement to a transverse arrangement across the maximum width portion of the power unit. This dimensional change allows the guard pipe to provide effective protection using a shorter length, thereby reducing the space requirement while maintaining protective performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard pipe is strategically positioned at the maximum width portion of the power unit, which is the most critical area requiring protection. By concentrating the guard pipe at this specific location rather than extending it longitudinally, the design achieves effective protection with minimal space occupation.
2Area of stationary object
If the guard pipe is positioned in narrow space between radiator and power unit, then the space utilization is improved, but the attachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle and simultaneously serves as the attachment structure for the guard pipe. The engine hanger stay and cross member, which are essential for power unit support, are also used as attachment points for the guard pipe, eliminating the need for separate attachment structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment function is merged with the existing body frame structure. The guard pipe is attached to the engine hanger stay and cross member, combining the support function and attachment function into a single integrated structure, thereby reducing overall complexity.
3Strength
If the guard pipe is attached to high-strength parts of body frame, then the protective capability is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engine hanger stay and cross member are designed to serve dual purposes: supporting the power unit and providing attachment points for the guard pipe. This multi-functionality allows the guard pipe to be attached to high-strength parts without requiring separate structural elements, thereby maintaining protective capability while avoiding additional design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a straddle type vehicle having a power unit provided on a body frame between a front wheel and a rear wheel to provide a driving force to the vehicle, and a radiator provided between the front wheel and the power unit to radiate the heat of the power unit into the air, a guard pipe is provided between the radiator and the power unit so as to protect the power unit from colliding with the ground when the vehicle is overturned and from being struck by obstacles in the front direction. Effective utilization of a narrow space can protect the power unit due to the fact that the guard pipe is provided in the relatively narrow space between the radiator, which is just in front of the power unit, and the power unit so as to protect the power unit.