Lateral Air Control Device Mounting Below Fuel Tank

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straddle-type vehicle designs face challenges in installing an air control device below the fuel tank without reducing marketability by altering the tank's shape or capacity, leading to issues with center of gravity and seat height.

Innovation Solution

The air control device is installed on the lateral side of the cylinder head cover below the fuel tank, utilizing dead space to avoid interference and maintain the tank's design, thus securing installation without altering its capacity or layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air control device is installed above the engine, then the secondary air supply function is achieved, but the fuel tank capacity decreases or the center of gravity height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary air supply functionVSAvoidfuel tank capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air control device is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the engine) to a lateral arrangement (on the lateral side of the cylinder head cover). This spatial reconfiguration utilizes previously unused lateral space, allowing the fuel tank to maintain its full capacity while the air control device is properly installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the air control device is installed above the engine, then the secondary air supply function is achieved, but the center of gravity height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecondary air supply functionVSAvoidcenter of gravity height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air control device is relocated from a high vertical position (above the engine) to a lower lateral position (on the cylinder head cover). This dimensional change in installation location lowers the center of gravity while maintaining the device's functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the fuel tank is moved upward to avoid the air control device, then the air control device can be installed, but the center of gravity height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair control device installationVSAvoidcenter of gravity height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the fuel tank upward (vertical adjustment), the air control device is installed on the lateral side of the cylinder head cover (lateral adjustment). This approach achieves proper device installation without altering the fuel tank's vertical position, thereby maintaining the center of gravity at an appropriate height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If the tank bottom surface is recessed to accommodate the air control device, then the air control device can be installed, but the tank capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair control device installationVSAvoidtank capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air control device is installed on the lateral side of the cylinder head cover rather than above the engine. This lateral positioning utilizes dead space that does not interfere with the fuel tank's internal volume, allowing the tank to maintain its full capacity while accommodating the air control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4495397B1Installation structure for air control device

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

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AI summary

An installation structure for an air control device (71), the air control device being configured to control supply of secondary air from an air cleaner (46) to an exhaust passage (61) of an engine (20). A cylinder head (23) is located above the engine. A cylinder head cover (24) is installed on the cylinder head. A fuel tank (34) is installed above the cylinder head cover. The air control device is installed on a lateral side of the cylinder head cover below the fuel tank.