Motorcycle ECU and Battery Width-Compact Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcycles face challenges in efficiently arranging electrical components like the ECU and battery due to limited space, with existing layouts often requiring large left-right widths and separate placements, which hinder the allocation of other devices.

Innovation Solution

The ECU and battery are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, with their short sides aligned along this direction and long sides inclined towards the front-back direction, allowing for a more compact layout that maximizes space by reducing the vehicle width size and creating a larger area in front or rear of the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the ECU is arranged with its largest surface facing the vertical direction, then the ECU can be easily mounted and connected, but the left-right width becomes large, reducing the space available for other devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveECU mounting and connection easeVSAvoidspace for other devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement dimension of the ECU from vertical orientation (largest surface facing up) to horizontal orientation (short side along vehicle width direction). This dimensional change allows the ECU to be arranged side by side with the battery in the vehicle width direction, reducing the left-right width occupation and freeing up vertical and front-back spaces for other devices while maintaining accessibility for mounting and connection.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of arranging the ECU with its largest surface facing upward (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement approach by positioning the ECU with its short side along the vehicle width direction and long side inclined toward the front-back direction. This inverted arrangement strategy enables more efficient space utilization in the limited motorcycle vehicle body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the ECU and battery are arranged side by side in the front-back direction or at different locations, then each component has sufficient space, but the overall space utilization is reduced and other devices cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent space sufficiencyVSAvoidspace utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the arrangement of the ECU and battery into a compact side-by-side configuration in the vehicle width direction. By positioning both components within the same transverse plane with their short sides along the width direction, the arrangement consolidates the space occupation, freeing up the front-back direction for other devices while ensuring both components have adequate space for mounting, ventilation, and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the motorcycle uses a compact layout to save space, then the vehicle size is reduced, but the arrangement of electrical components like ECU and battery becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle sizeVSAvoidelectrical component arrangement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flexibility in the ECU arrangement by allowing the long side to be inclined toward the front-back direction rather than being strictly vertical or horizontal. This dynamic arrangement approach enables the ECU to adapt to the available space in the compact motorcycle layout, facilitating easier mounting and connection while maintaining the compact vehicle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3450292B1motorcycle
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3450292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450292B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450292B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle 1 includes a fuel tank 41, a front seat 42, a front step 43, a front wheel and a rear wheel 25, a vehicle body frame, an ECU 71, and a battery 72. A driver sits on the front seat 42. The driver puts one's foot on the front step 43. The vehicle body frame includes a main frame 12 and a rear frame, which are connected in a front-back direction. The vehicle body frame extends in the front-back direction. The ECU 71 is supported by the vehicle body frame and controls the engine 40. The battery 72 is supported by the vehicle body frame 10. The ECU 71 and the battery 72 are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction. Both the ECU 71 and the battery 72 have a cuboid shape, and each of their short sides as the shortest side is arranged along the vehicle width direction.