Motorcycle Cowl Cable Routing and Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing double-structured cowl configuration in vehicles requires long cables for connecting lighting parts, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced efficiency due to complex wiring and labor-intensive connection processes.

Innovation Solution

A cowled vehicle design featuring through-holes with locking sections in the inner and outer cowls allows for shorter cables and easier connection points, enabling efficient interconnection of cables and enhancing manufacturing efficiency while maintaining a sleek external appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the second cable is laid around the side edge portion of the inner cowl or made to penetrate the inner cowl, then the connection between the first cable and the second cable can be conducted at an invisible position, but long wiring is required leading to increased manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of connectionVSAvoidcable length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cable connection function from the traditional routing paths (around side edges or through inner cowl) and relocates it to the gap between the inner cowl and outer cowl. This allows the connection to be made at a more accessible position without requiring long cables, as the coupler can be disposed in the gap where both cables can reach efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the end portion of the second cable is led out from the narrow gap between the inner cowl and the outer cowl, then the connection can be made at an accessible position, but the work of interconnecting the cables takes time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of cable connectionVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the coupler in the gap between the inner cowl and outer cowl before the cable connection process. This allows the cable ends to be brought together and connected more efficiently, reducing the time and labor required for the interconnection work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If long wiring is used for the first cable or the second cable, then the cables can reach the connection point, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable reachVSAvoidcable length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of cable routing by utilizing the gap between the inner cowl and outer cowl as a three-dimensional space for cable access. Instead of routing cables around the exterior or through the inner cowl structure, the solution uses the available space in the gap to create more direct cable paths, reducing overall cable length while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2497687B1Cowled vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.06.03 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A motorcycle (12) includes a first cable (120) disposed inside an inner cowl (82), and a second cable (122) which is disposed between the inner cowl (82) and an outer cowl (84) and is connected to the first cable (120). The inner cowl (82) is provided with a through-hole (108) through which to pass the first cable (120) or the second cable (122). The through-hole (108) is provided with a recess (110) by which a part of the first cable (120) or the second cable (122) is locked.