Motorcycle Cover Hinged Shell Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle cover devices do not effectively combine a fixed shell portion with a hinged shell portion to provide comprehensive protection from impact damage, weather elements, and sunlight, while allowing easy access for driving onto the cover.
Innovation Solution
A hard-shell motorcycle cover assembly featuring a longitudinally elongated floor panel with a shell divided into a rear and front hinged portion, where the rear portion is biased into an open position for easy access and can be closed to enclose the motorcycle, using a biasing unit and a gasket for sealing and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shell is made as a single fixed piece, then the protection from impact damage, weather, and sunlight is maximized, but the ease of operation for driving the motorcycle onto the cover is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into a fixed front portion and a movable rear portion that can be hinged or telescoped. This segmentation allows the rear portion to open for easy motorcycle access while the front portion remains fixed to maintain protective enclosure, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell transitions from a completely fixed structure to a dynamic structure with movable rear portions that can open and close. This allows the cover to adapt between a closed protective state and an open accessible state, simultaneously achieving both protection and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the shell is divided into multiple movable portions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is segmented into a fixed front portion and a movable rear portion, creating the minimum necessary divisions to achieve ease of operation. This limited segmentation avoids excessive complexity while still providing functional access.
Solution Approach 2:
A biasing unit serves as an intermediary mechanism between the movable rear portion and the fixed front portion, automatically maintaining the open position and reducing the operational effort required. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system by providing automatic assistance rather than requiring complex manual operation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a biasing unit is added to maintain the open position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing unit provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining the rear portion in the open position without requiring external power or complex control systems. This passive mechanical assistance improves ease of operation while adding minimal complexity compared to active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing unit changes the force parameter required to open and close the shell by providing continuous mechanical assistance. This parameter modification improves operability while the simple spring or elastic mechanism keeps the added complexity minimal.
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 solution provides effective protection from impact damage, weather, and sunlight while allowing easy access and use, ensuring the motorcycle is securely enclosed and maintained dry.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing unit is coupled between the rear portion and the front portion for biasing the rear portion into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A hard-shell motorcycle cover assembly includes a floor panel that is positionable on a support surface thereby facilitating a motorcycle to be rolled onto the floor panel. The floor panel is longitudinally elongated to accommodate a full length of the motorcycle. A shell is divided into a rear portion that is hingedly coupled to a front portion. The rear portion is positionable in an open position to facilitate the motorcycle to be driven onto the floor panel. Additionally, the rear portion is positionable in a closed position to enclose, and protect, the motorcycle on the floor panel. A biasing unit is coupled between the rear portion and the front portion for biasing the rear portion into the open position.