Motorcycle Meter Housing Wind Deflection via Inclined Front Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorcycle meter devices do not effectively mitigate wind pressure caused by travel wind, which can discomfort riders.

Innovation Solution

A meter device design featuring a housing with forwardly and upwardly inclined portions that position the indicators to deflect wind pressure, integrated with a circular headlight and a single lens covering all indicators, providing a wind protection effect while maintaining a compact size and avoiding additional visor components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional meter device with independent indicators is mounted above the headlight, then the indicators can be clearly displayed and accessed, but wind pressure from travel wind cannot be effectively reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind pressure on riderVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front wall of the housing is segmented into multiple inclined portions (first portion between indicators, second portions in front of each indicator) that can independently deflect wind flow. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for specific wind deflection functions while maintaining overall structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing front wall is designed with three-dimensional inclined portions that extend in both vehicle width direction and vehicle front-rear direction. This multi-dimensional configuration creates effective wind deflection without requiring additional separate components, resolving the contradiction between wind protection and structural complexity.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional wind protection components like visors are added, then wind pressure can be reduced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind pressure on riderVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wind protection function is merged with the existing housing structure by incorporating inclined portions directly into the front wall. This integration eliminates the need for separate visor components while achieving effective wind deflection, thus reducing overall device complexity and component count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing front wall serves multiple functions: it houses the independent indicators, provides structural support, and deflects wind pressure through its inclined portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated wind protection components.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the housing structure is modified to reduce wind pressure, then rider comfort improves, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind pressure on riderVSAvoidhousing manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front wall incorporates smoothly curved inclined portions that follow aerodynamic flow patterns. These curved surfaces are designed to be integrally formed with the housing, allowing for efficient manufacturing through molding or forming processes while achieving superior wind deflection compared to angular designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The design effectively reduces wind pressure on the rider by deflecting wind above the head, enhancing visibility and maintaining a sleek appearance without increasing costs or design restrictions.

Implementation Method 1

a front wall, the front wall being provided with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined first portion positioned forward and inbetween the indicators, and with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined second portion positioned respectively in front of the indicators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic deflection: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP1842766B1Meter device
Publication Date: 2010.06.16 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1842766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1842766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1842766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a meter device for a straddle-type vehicle having at least two independent indicators being aligned in a vehicle width direction and being accommodated in a housing, said housing comprising a front wall, said front wall being provided with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined first portion positioned forward and inbetween the indicators, and with a rearwardly and upwardly inclined second portion positioned respectively in front of the indicators, wherein, when viewed from laterally of the vehicle, the first and second portions are positioned in the same position or the first portion projects more forward than the second portion