Ignition Coil Relocation for Straddled Vehicle Component Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional straddled vehicles face difficulties in arranging components between main frames due to dense component arrangements, and routing the ignition coil's plug cord is challenging due to its inflexibility and need to avoid other components, which becomes more complicated with increasing component numbers.

Innovation Solution

The ignition coil is positioned outside the internal space between the main frames, allowing easier arrangement of other components and reducing the need to curve the plug cord, which is supported only by the ignition coil and spark plug, simplifying its routing and reducing the risk of voltage drop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the ignition coil is disposed between the pair of main frames, then the space utilization is improved, but the plug cord routing becomes difficult due to dense component arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidplug cord routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition coil is extracted from the internal space between the main frames and relocated to the external space. This removes the conflict between the ignition coil and other components, allowing the plug cord to be routed easily without needing to curve around dense component arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ignition coil positioning changes from a two-dimensional arrangement within the internal space to a three-dimensional arrangement utilizing the external space above or below the main frames. This dimensional transition provides additional routing paths for the plug cord that avoid contact with the main frames.

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

2Reliability

If the plug cord is routed to avoid contact with main frames, then voltage drop is prevented, but routing difficulty increases due to plug cord inflexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidrouting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition coil is positioned in advance in a location that pre-determines a clear routing path for the plug cord. By selecting a position where the plug cord can extend straight to the spark plug without contacting main frames, the routing difficulty is reduced while ensuring voltage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If more vehicle components are added to comply with regulations, then functional requirements are met, but component arrangement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition coil is extracted from the congested internal space and placed in the external space. This creates additional available space within the internal space for accommodating other components required for regulatory compliance, thereby reducing the overall arrangement difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3364017B1Straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3364017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3364017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A straddled vehicle (1) includes a body frame (3), an engine (16), and an ignition device (61). The body frame (3) has a head tube (4), a right main frame (5R), and a left main frame (5L). An internal space (S) is formed leftward of the right main frame (5R) and rightward of the left main frame (5L). At least part of the engine (16) is located below the right main frame (5R) and left main frame (5L) in a side view of the vehicle. The ignition device (61) has a spark plug (63) attached to the engine (16), a plug cord (65) connected to the spark plug (63), and an ignition coil (67) connected to the plug cord (65) and located rightward of the right main frame (5R) in a plan view of the vehicle.