Saddle Riding Vehicle Side Gusset Cooling Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current saddle riding vehicle body structures do not effectively utilize traveling air for cooling vehicle components, leading to potential weight and size inefficiencies and reduced component protection.

Innovation Solution

A body structure with open sections in the side gussets allows traveling air to cool internal components, reduces weight by eliminating solid partitions, and enhances rigidity through inwardly curved flanges, while also serving as a protective member for components and harnesses, and balances load distribution between main and down frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a box-shaped structure with solid partitions is used to enclose vehicle components, then structural rigidity and component protection are improved, but vehicle weight increases and traveling air cannot effectively cool the components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side gussets are segmented with opening sections that create internal spaces while maintaining structural integrity. The side gusset is divided into multiple sections by the openings, allowing air flow paths while preserving the overall box-shaped structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side gusset structure incorporates opening sections that create a porous-like configuration, allowing traveling air to pass through and cool components while the remaining solid portions maintain structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Temperature

If vehicle components are installed outside the side gussets, then cooling by traveling air is improved, but vehicle size increases and component protection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent cooling efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Vehicle components such as the fuel tank and battery are nested within the internal spaces formed by the side gussets. This nesting arrangement allows the components to be cooled by traveling air passing through the opening sections while maintaining a compact vehicle size and providing protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Temperature

If additional air guide members are installed to direct traveling air for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and part count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent cooling efficiencyVSAvoidair guide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side gussets serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, create protective enclosures for components, and simultaneously act as air guides that direct traveling air to cool the nested components. This eliminates the need for separate air guide members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The air guiding function is merged with the structural side gusset components. The opening sections of the side gussets inherently guide air flow to the components without requiring separate air guide members, reducing part count and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the down frame welded section is made longer than the main frame welded section, then load distribution and structural balance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distribution balanceVSAvoidwelding configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The welded section lengths are made asymmetric, with the down frame welded section being longer than the main frame welded section. This asymmetric configuration optimizes load distribution and structural balance, with the longer down frame welded section providing enhanced support for the head pipe and improving overall frame stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Efficient cooling of vehicle components without additional air guides, reduced weight and size, improved rigidity, and balanced load distribution, along with reduced fastening needs and part counts.

Implementation Method 1

opening sections opened in a forward/rearward direction are formed in the side gussets, traveling air can be efficiently taken into an inner side (a rear side) of the vehicle... vehicle components installed between the pair of left and right side gussets in the vehicle width direction can be cooled using the traveling air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3381781B1Body structure of saddle riding vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3381781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3381781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3381781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A body structure of a saddle riding vehicle includes a head pipe (20), and a pair of left and right side gussets (26L and 26R) connected to the head pipe (20), wherein an internal space in which a vehicle component is disposed is formed between the pair of left and right side gussets (26L and 26R) in a vehicle width direction, an opening section (35) opened in a forward/rearward direction is formed in the side gussets (26L and 26R), and an opening-side flange (37) curved inward in the vehicle width direction is formed at an outer circumferential edges (36) of the opening sections (35) of the side gussets (26L and 26R).