Motorcycle Front Structure Duct for Wind Flow Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle front structures with adjustable screens experience variations in wind flow, affecting steerability and windbreak performance due to changing wind paths as the screen is slid vertically.

Innovation Solution

A duct is integrated at the rear of the screen to direct wind flow consistently, combined with rails that follow the curvature of the meter panel to minimize gaps and reduce wind variation, and the duct's length overlaps the screen's sliding range to maintain consistent wind guidance regardless of screen position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the screen is made vertically adjustable to improve windbreak performance, then windbreak performance is improved, but steerability varies due to changing wind paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindbreak performanceVSAvoidsteerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wind flow path is segmented into two separate channels: one through the duct that guides wind to the rear of the screen, and another through the gap between the screen and visor. This segmentation allows independent control of wind flow to different regions, maintaining consistent rearward wind flow for steerability while providing windbreak protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The duct acts as an intermediary structure that captures wind from the air intake and redirects it to the rear of the screen. This intermediary pathway ensures that a consistent portion of wind flow is delivered to the rear regardless of screen position, decoupling the screen's vertical adjustment from steerability variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the screen is slid vertically to adjust height, then windbreak performance is improved, but the flow path of traveling wind changes causing variation in wind amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindbreak performanceVSAvoidwind flow path consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The duct is pre-configured with a fixed geometry and positioning relative to the air intake, establishing a predetermined wind flow path before the screen is adjusted. This preliminary configuration ensures that the duct consistently captures and redirects wind to the rear of the screen regardless of subsequent screen position changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the wind guidance function from the vertical dimension (screen height) to a fixed spatial structure (duct) that operates independently of screen position. The duct creates a three-dimensional wind guidance pathway that maintains consistent wind delivery to the rear while allowing free vertical adjustment of the screen.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If gaps between screen and visor are reduced to minimize wind flow variation, then wind flow stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind flow stabilityVSAvoidgap consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on precise gap dimensions, the duct replicates the wind guidance function through a fixed geometric structure. The duct's shape and position are designed to capture and redirect wind flow, creating a copy of the desired wind flow pattern that is independent of the variable gap between screen and visor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 configuration enhances steerability and maintains consistent windbreak performance by reducing wind variation through the screen and visor gaps, even when the screen is adjusted, and allows for a more compact and aesthetically pleasing design.

Implementation Method 1

A duct extending to the rear face of the screen from the air intake is provided at the vehicle rear of the visor. A part of traveling wind introduced from the air intake passes through the duct and is guided to the rear side of the screen.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP2921383B1Front structure of a motorcycle
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2921383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2921383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2921383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle (10) including a screen (55), a meter panel (54) arranged at the vehicle front of a rider, and a visor (56) arranged at the vehicle front of the meter panel (54), the visor (56) is arranged higher than the meter panel (54) to thereby form an air intake (76) for taking in traveling wind between the visor (56) and the meter panel (54), and a duct (77) extending to a rear side (55b) of the screen (55) from the air intake (76) which is provided at the vehicle rear of the visor (56), so that the duct (77) can introduce traveling wind to the rear side (55b) of the screen (55).