Motorcycle Frame Cross Member Bracket Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorcycles have a high number of components and weight due to the use of down tubes for engine support, which increases the complexity and weight while compromising rigidity.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a bracket with a cross member to directly mount the engine to the body frame, eliminating the need for down tubes and enhancing the supporting rigidity by forming a single, compact assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If down tubes are used to support the engine through separate brackets, then the supporting rigidity is improved, but the number of components and vehicle weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting rigidityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is integrated with the cross member by forming them into one body through welding, casting, pressing, or forging. This merging eliminates the need for separate down tubes and brackets, reducing component count while maintaining the structural support function and rigidity for engine mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If down tubes are removed to reduce component count, then the number of components and weight are reduced, but the rigidity in supporting the engine deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidsupporting rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the bracket with the cross member into a single unified structure, the patent eliminates down tubes while preserving support rigidity. The integrated design creates a compact assembly that maintains necessary structural strength for engine mounting without requiring separate down tube components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated bracket-cross member structure is designed with optimized segmentations and reinforcement features that distribute mechanical loads effectively, maintaining rigidity without needing additional down tube support elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If separate brackets and down tubes are used for engine support, then the supporting structure is simplified in design, but the vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidvehicle body weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket and cross member are formed into one body through manufacturing processes such as welding, casting, pressing, or forging. This integration eliminates the need for separate down tubes and multiple brackets, reducing vehicle body weight while the integrated design remains manufacturable through standard industrial processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1950129B1Motorcycle

Publication Date: 2014.01.08 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A motorcycle including a body frame 1 and an engine 20 mounted to the body frame 1, wherein the body frame 1 includes: left and right frame members (tank rails) 3 and 3 provided on one and the other sides in the vehicle width direction; a cross member 50 for connecting the left and right frame members with each other; and a bracket 53 provided into one body with the cross member 50, wherein a cylinder part (a cylinder head) 24 of the engine 20 is directly mounted to the bracket 53.