Motorcycle Flasher Lamp Mounting and Airflow Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorcycles experience reduced riding comfort due to turbulent airflow from flasher lamps, which can be exacerbated by the increased width when the lamps are mounted on the second side cover, leading to direct hits on the rider's legs and potential damage from sideward forces.

Innovation Solution

The motorcycle design positions the flasher lamp on the first side cover in front of the airflow passage between the first and second side covers, guiding turbulent airflow through this passage to reduce leg hits and maintains a narrower width by avoiding the second side cover mounting, which also allows for better airflow guidance to the engine for cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the flasher lamp is fitted to the second side cover, then the turbulent airflow does not hit the rider's legs easily, but the size of the motorcycle becomes greater in terms of width

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow turbulence on rider's legsVSAvoidmotorcycle width
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an airflow passage as an intermediary structure between the flasher lamp and the rider's legs. This passage redirects the turbulent airflow generated by the flasher lamp away from the rider's legs, allowing the lamp to be mounted on the first side cover (maintaining compact width) while still preventing harmful airflow effects on the rider.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the flasher lamp mounting from the second side cover (lateral dimension) to the first side cover (frontal dimension), and uses the airflow passage to redirect flow in a vertical/diagonal dimension. This dimensional redistribution allows the lamp to be positioned without increasing overall width while still protecting the rider from turbulent airflow.

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

2Length of moving object

If the flasher lamp is fitted to the first side cover, then the width of the motorcycle is kept less, but the airflow becomes turbulent at the rear of the flasher lamp which hits the rider's legs directly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorcycle widthVSAvoidairflow turbulence on rider's legs
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow passage serves as a mediator that captures the turbulent airflow generated by the flasher lamp mounted on the first side cover and redirects it through a controlled path. This allows the lamp to maintain its compact positioning while the passage prevents the turbulent flow from directly hitting the rider's legs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful turbulent airflow generated by the flasher lamp into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. By strategically designing the airflow passage, the turbulence is redirected to flow along the motorcycle body and discharge away from the rider's legs, transforming a harmful effect into a manageable and even useful airflow pattern for cooling and aerodynamics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design enhances riding comfort by minimizing airflow turbulence on the rider's legs and maintains a compact width, while also improving engine cooling through controlled airflow.

Implementation Method 1

the airflow becomes turbulent at the rear of the flasher lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

improving engine cooling through controlled airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2889207B1Motorcycle
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2889207B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2889207B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2889207B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle includes a first side cover (51), a second side cover (61), and a flasher lamp (80). The first side cover (51) is disposed laterally outward of the head pipe (5). The second side cover (61) includes a vertical portion (64) extending downward and overlapping the first side cover (51) as viewed from one side of the motorcycle. The second side cover (61) is disposed laterally outward of the first side cover (51). The flasher lamp (80) is mounted to the first side cover (51) at a position that is frontward relative to the vertical portion (64) and at which the first side cover (51) and the second side cover (61) do not overlap each other as viewed from one side of the motorcycle. At least a portion of the flasher lamp (80) is disposed laterally outward of the second side cover (61) as viewed from the front of the motorcycle. An airflow passage (70) is formed between the first side cover (51) and the vertical portion (64). The flasher lamp (80) is positioned in front of the airflow passage (70).