Straddled Vehicle Leg Shield Socket and Switch Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing straddled vehicle designs, such as scooters, face challenges in maintaining the freedom of layout for the main switch and charging socket while ensuring rider comfort, as the current configurations often lead to interference and discomfort due to the proximity of these components to the rider's legs and the limited space for the power supply cable.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves positioning the electric power supply socket above the main switch on the leg shield, with the terminal insertion hole located forward of the main switch, allowing the power supply cable to extend horizontally or obliquely upward, thus avoiding contact with the rider's legs and increasing the layout freedom without the need for additional layout changes to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging socket is positioned below the main switch to prevent contact between components, then component interference is prevented, but the layout freedom is reduced and rider comfort deteriorates due to cable proximity to legs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (above-below) to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement of the main switch and charging socket. This dimensional change allows both components to be positioned at the same height level, eliminating the need for vertical separation while preventing contact through horizontal spacing. The cable exit is positioned on the outer side of the charging socket, directing the cable away from the rider's leg space.
2Ease of operation
If the charging socket hole is oriented downward to facilitate connection, then ease of operation is improved, but water resistance deteriorates due to increased risk of water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the charging socket hole from downward to upward. This parameter change achieves two objectives: it maintains ease of operation by allowing the cable to be connected from above, and it improves water resistance by preventing rainwater and other liquids from directly entering the socket hole during vehicle operation.
3Device complexity
If the power supply cable is routed close to the charging socket for compact layout, then device complexity is reduced, but rider comfort deteriorates due to cable proximity to leg space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the cable exit at a specific location on the outer side of the charging socket, rather than using a generic routing approach. This localized positioning ensures that the cable naturally extends away from the rider's leg space, providing comfort in the critical area where the cable interacts with the rider, while maintaining overall routing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A straddled vehicle includes a main switch 51 and an electric power supply socket 61 which are mounted to a leg shield 29. The electric power supply socket 61 is disposed on the same side as the main switch 51 relative to a head pipe. A terminal insertion hole 62 of the electric power supply socket 61 is located above the main switch 51. At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole 62 is located farther to the front than a rear end 51r of the main switch 51 in a side view. A front wall 76 of the leg shield 29 includes a ceiling wall 76B that overlaps at least a portion of the terminal insertion hole 62 in a plan view. The center line Le of the electric power supply socket 61 extends horizontally or rearward and upward in a side view.