Motorcycle Exhaust Sensor Positioning for Stone Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motorcycles, the arrangement of exhaust gas sensors is limited by the exposure of exhaust pipes and mufflers, making it difficult to position them without affecting other components and protecting them from scattering stones.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust gas sensor is positioned on a lower part of the exhaust pipe, below a catalyst, with a curved design that includes a hanging part and a lower part extending to the rear, supported by a boss part and bonded half bodies, allowing it to be placed in a dead space and protected from stones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust gas sensor is disposed in a conventional position on the exposed exhaust pipe or muffler, then the sensor can detect exhaust gas components, but the sensor is exposed to scattering stones and affects the layout of other members
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust pipe is designed to extend downwardly below the engine, utilizing the vertical dimension and space underneath the engine to position the sensor in a protected location. This dimensional change allows the sensor to be shielded from scattering stones while maintaining exhaust gas detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust pipe is routed to pass through below the engine, nesting the exhaust system within the existing engine bay space. This allows the sensor to be positioned in the dead space underneath the engine, protected from external damage while integrated into the overall vehicle architecture.
2Reliability
If the exhaust pipe is routed below the engine to protect the sensor, then the sensor is protected from stones, but the wiring routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring is routed together with the exhaust pipe, combining the electrical conduit path with the exhaust system routing. This integrated approach allows both the sensor and its wiring to be positioned below the engine in the same protected space, minimizing additional complexity.
3Device complexity
If the exhaust gas sensor is disposed in a dead space below the engine, then the layout of other members is not affected, but the sensor may be affected by temperature and access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust pipe is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently accessed and serviced. The sensor is mounted on this segmented exhaust pipe structure, allowing the sensor and its immediate surroundings to be accessed for maintenance by working on the exhaust pipe section, even though it is positioned below the engine.
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
This arrangement minimizes interference with other components, reduces the risk of damage from stones, and allows for improved routing of wiring, enhancing the motorcycle's appearance and reducing costs by using a heaterless sensor while enabling real-time catalyst deterioration monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst (10) which promotes oxidation-reduction reactions in the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
an O2 sensor (14) which measures a concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a technology for preventing a motorcycle, which is provided with an exhaust gas sensor, from being affected by airborne stones, while limiting the impact on the layout of other members. [Solution] A motorcycle that is provided with: an exhaust gas pipe 41 connected to an exhaust gas port 66 of an engine 12; a catalyst 42 provided inside the exhaust gas pipe 41; and an exhaust gas sensor 67 provided inside the exhaust gas pipe 41 and capable of detecting exhaust gas components in the exhaust gas pipe 41, wherein: the exhaust gas pipe 41 is provided with a hanging part 74 that extends downward; the catalyst 42 is supported by the upper portion of the hanging part 74; and the exhaust gas sensor 67 is disposed below the catalyst 42, i.e. at the lower portion of the hanging part 74, and is disposed at the vehicular rear side of the hanging part 74.