Integrated Clutch Actuator in Motorcycle Engine Case

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing engine structures for saddle-ride vehicles, such as motorcycles, require additional covers for oil passage controlling apparatuses, increasing weight and cost, and demand high sealing performance for hydraulic pathways, which complicates the attachability of clutch actuators.

Innovation Solution

The clutch actuators are integrated within the engine case, eliminating the need for an additional cover and reducing the number of components, thereby simplifying the structure and improving attachability by utilizing the engine case as a cover and reducing the complexity of hydraulic pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a special cover is provided for the oil passage controlling apparatus, then the apparatus is protected, but weight and cost increase due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of oil passage controlling apparatusVSAvoidweight of engine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch actuator is integrated into the engine case by utilizing the outer wall of the engine case as a cover for the clutch actuator. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate special cover, thereby reducing weight and component count while still providing the necessary protection for the oil passage controlling apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a special cover is provided for the oil passage controlling apparatus, then the apparatus is protected, but cost increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of oil passage controlling apparatusVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the oil passage controlling apparatus is located outside the engine case, then accessibility is improved, but high sealing performance is required for hydraulic pathways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachability of clutch actuatorsVSAvoidsealing performance of hydraulic pathways

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of locating the oil passage controlling apparatus outside the engine case for better accessibility, the invention inverts the approach by integrating the clutch actuator inside the engine case. The outer wall of the engine case serves as a cover, eliminating the need for external hydraulic pathways and high sealing performance requirements, while maintaining attachability through direct integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of manufacture

If clutch actuators are arranged outside the engine case, then space for actuator installation is available, but interconnected means become complex and large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace for actuator installationVSAvoidinterconnected means between clutch mechanism and actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch actuator is positioned inside the engine case, nesting the actuator within the existing engine case structure. This eliminates the need for external mounting space and reduces the complexity of interconnected means by integrating the actuator directly into the engine case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8490734B2Engine including clutch actuator

Publication Date: 2013.07.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An engine includes a crankshaft for transmitting rotational drive power to a drive wheel, a clutch mechanism for connecting or disconnecting the transmission of rotational drive power of the crankshaft, and clutch actuators. The crankshaft, clutch mechanism, and clutch actuators are accommodated in an engine case. The clutch actuators control the clutch mechanism and are positioned outside the clutch mechanism, viewed from the crankshaft direction.