Motorcycle Cowling Assembly Quick-Release Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for mounting and removing front cowling assemblies on motorcycles are cumbersome, requiring special tools and fixing means designed for specific motorcycles, leading to increased production and maintenance costs due to the need for singular removal and assembly of accessories, which complicates repairs and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A front cowling assembly that can be mounted and removed as a whole unit, utilizing a support element with accessible fixing means located on a protruding plate from the steering tube, allowing for easy and quick assembly, disassembly, and relocation for maintenance, eliminating the need for singular accessory removal and simplifying the mounting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special fixing means and corresponding special tools are used to mount and remove accessories on the motor cycle, then the accessories can be fixed securely to the motor cycle, but the mounting and removal operations become troublesome and require special tools, increasing production and maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of accessoriesVSAvoidmounting and removal operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means is designed to be operated directly by hand without requiring special tools. The operator can easily engage and disengage the fixing means by manual manipulation, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for specialized tooling while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing means uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced or adjusted. The design employs basic mechanical elements rather than complex specialized tools, reducing production and maintenance costs while achieving reliable accessory fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If each component part or accessory is mounted to and removed from the front cowling assembly singularly using special fixing means, then each accessory can be individually secured, but the mounting and assembly operations become troublesome due to reduced space and the need to work beside the motor cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual accessory fixationVSAvoidmounting and assembly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple accessories are grouped together as a single assembly unit that is mounted and removed as one complete group. This merging approach simplifies operations by reducing the number of separate mounting and removal steps, while each accessory within the assembly remains individually secured through the fixing means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front cowling assembly is divided into modular components that can be assembled and disassembled in sections. This segmentation allows accessories to be organized into manageable groups that can be handled and installed more easily, reducing operational complexity while maintaining individual accessory security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the operator works beside the motor cycle to remove and mount accessories on the front cowling assembly, then access to the fixing means is possible, but the operations become time-consuming and troublesome due to limited working space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to fixing meansVSAvoidmounting and removal operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means is positioned and designed to be accessible from a convenient direction or angle, optimizing the operator's working position. By strategically locating the fixing means in an easily accessible position on the front cowling assembly, the operator can perform mounting and removal operations more efficiently with better workspace access, reducing operation time while maintaining ease of use

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

Data Source

PatentEP2030882B1A cowling assembly for a motorcycle and a motorcycle equiped with such a cowling assembly
Publication Date: 2010.01.06 YAMAHA MOTOR RES & DEV EURO SRL
  • EP2030882B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2030882B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2030882B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

According to the present invention, a front cowling assembly (1) for a motorcycle is provided with said assembly comprising a support element adapted to support at least a front cowling cover and other equipments such as a speedometer. The support cowling assembly (1) according to the present invention is adapted to be removed from and mounted to said motorcycle (100) as a whole by simply removing and mounting said support element from and to said motorcycle (100), respectively. Removing said support element from the motorcycle or mounting same to the motorcycle results therefore in all the equipments belonging to the front cowling assembly (1) being removed from and mounted to said motorcycle (100), respectively.