Motorcycle Main Frame Increased-Space Portion for Hydraulic Unit Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing configuration of a motorcycle's hydraulic unit, located outward relative to the main frame, is susceptible to outside impacts when the motorcycle falls, necessitating a protection frame that increases the motorcycle's size and dimension.

Innovation Solution

The hydraulic unit is mounted to an increased-space portion of the main frame, with a bracket system that fastens it to the frame's upper and lower sections, positioning it inwardly to minimize outside impacts and allow space for other components, while maintaining the hydraulic unit's functionality and positioning it close to the vehicle's center to avoid interference with the handle and radiator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the hydraulic unit is placed outward relative to the main frame to maximize space utilization, then the motorcycle can accommodate large electric equipment, but the hydraulic unit becomes susceptible to outside impacts when the motorcycle falls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidoutside impact susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The main frame is divided into multiple sections including upper frames, lower frames, and increased-space portions. The hydraulic unit is specifically mounted to the increased-space portion of the lower frame, which is positioned inward relative to the maximum-space portion. This segmentation allows the frame structure to provide impact protection while still accommodating large electric equipment in the maximum-space portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bracket system is introduced as an intermediary component to mount the hydraulic unit to the frame. The bracket includes fastening sections that secure the hydraulic unit to the increased-space portion of the lower frame, providing a stable mounting position that is protected from outside impacts while maintaining proper hydraulic unit functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protection frame is added to protect the hydraulic unit from outside impacts, then the hydraulic unit is protected, but the motorcycle's size increases due to the enlarged gap between the frame and front cowling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic unit protectionVSAvoidmotorcycle size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection function is merged into the existing main frame structure by utilizing the increased-space portion of the lower frame as both a structural component and a protective element. The hydraulic unit is mounted inward at this increased-space portion, which is naturally protected by the frame's geometry, eliminating the need for a separate protection frame that would increase the motorcycle's size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding protection in the horizontal dimension (which would increase the gap between the frame and front cowling), the solution moves the hydraulic unit to a different position within the vertical and depth dimensions of the frame structure. The increased-space portion of the lower frame provides a protected location that does not require increasing the horizontal dimensions of the motorcycle.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the hydraulic unit is positioned inward relative to the maximum-space portion to reduce impact risk, then outside impacts are reduced, but space for other components may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutside impact resistanceVSAvoidcomponent placement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is designed with different portions having different characteristics: the maximum-space portion provides large volume for electric equipment, while the increased-space portion of the lower frame provides a protected location for the hydraulic unit. This local differentiation of frame portions allows each component to be optimally positioned according to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The increased-space portion is nested within the overall main frame structure, allowing the hydraulic unit to be positioned inward in a protected location while the maximum-space portion remains available for other components. This nested arrangement enables multiple components to coexist in the front portion of the motorcycle without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3093226B1motorcycle
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3093226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3093226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3093226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a motorcycle which can provide a space inside a main frame to place other members therein, and make it difficult for an outside impact to be transmitted to a hydraulic unit. A motorcycle (1) comprises a head pipe (5) which supports a rotary shaft around which is handle (6) is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body in such a manner that the rotary shaft is rotatable; a pair of right and left main frames (9) extending in a forward and rearward direction from the head pipe (5); and a hydraulic unit (50) mounted to one of the pair of right and left main frames (9), wherein the pair of right and left main frames (9) have increased-space portions (9b), which define a space with a dimension increasing in an obliquely rearward direction from the head pipe (5) toward maximum-space portions (9a) of the main frames (9), which define a space with a greatest dimension, and wherein the hydraulic unit (50) is mounted to an outer portion of the increased-space portion (9b) of one of the main frames (9).