Motorcycle Exhaust Gas Sensor Shielding by Main Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

On and off-road motorcycles face challenges in protecting exhaust gas sensors from flying stones and sprayed mud without increasing vehicle weight, as existing solutions either fail to consider lateral protection or require additional weighty protective covers.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust gas sensor is positioned and attached in a manner that it is shielded by the main frame and other structural components, such as the exhaust pipe and mud flap, ensuring protection against stones and mud from various directions without the need for a dedicated protective cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective cover is installed to protect the exhaust gas sensor from flying stones and sprayed mud, then the sensor's reliability is improved, but the vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas sensor protectionVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function with existing structural components. The main frame's lateral extension serves dual purposes: structural support and sensor protection. The exhaust pipe's positioning and the mud flap work together to create a protective system without adding separate protective covers, thus protecting the sensor while maintaining lightweight design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Existing structural components are given multiple functions. The main frame not only provides structural support but also shields the exhaust gas sensor from lateral impacts. The exhaust pipe serves both exhaust function and protective enclosure. The mud flap provides both mud protection and contributes to the overall protective shielding of the sensor assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the exhaust gas sensor is positioned to be shielded by the main frame, then protection against flying stones and sprayed mud is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas sensor protectionVSAvoidsensor arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is merged into existing structural components rather than adding separate protective elements. The main frame's lateral extension, exhaust pipe positioning, and mud flap work together as an integrated protective system that utilizes already-present structural elements, avoiding the need for additional complex protective assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the exhaust gas sensor is attached to the exhaust pipe, then the sensor's detection function is maintained, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to sprayed mud from lateral sides

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas detection functionVSAvoidsprayed mud exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust gas sensor is nested within the protective enclosure formed by the main frame, exhaust pipe, and mud flap. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to maintain its detection function while being shielded from sprayed mud. The sensor is positioned in the space enclosed by these structural components, creating a protective niche that preserves both detection capability and protection from harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP1898062B1Motorcycle with exhaust gas sensor
Publication Date: 2011.05.04 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1898062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1898062B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1898062B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle (1), comprising a main frame (4) extending obliquely longitudinally of the vehicle; an engine (10) mounted to the main frame; an exhaust pipe (9) connected to the engine (10); and an exhaust gas sensor (25) attached to the exhaust pipe, wherein the exhaust gas sensor (25) is shielded by the main frame (4) on the outside thereof in a vehicle width direction.