Motorcycle Fuel Lid Nesting in Center Cover Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motorcycle designs with a fuel lid in the straddle portion face challenges in reducing production costs and maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance, as they require precise molding and are prone to contamination from spilled fuel and rainwater, which affects the visibility of dirt on the fuel tray when the lid is opened.
Innovation Solution
The fuel lid is designed to be accommodated within a concave portion of the center cover, allowing for a larger dimensional tolerance and reducing manufacturing costs, while a liquid guide rib directs liquids to the fuel tray and a partitioning rib conceals the reservoir portion, enhancing the appearance by hiding dirt and contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the fuel lid is arranged flush with the upper face of the center cover, then the appearance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to higher molding precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel lid is nested within the concave portion of the center cover, allowing the lid to be positioned below the upper face of the center cover. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for high-precision flush mounting while maintaining a clean appearance, as the fuel lid is concealed within the recessed area.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional flush surface arrangement to a three-dimensional recessed arrangement. By creating a concave portion in the center cover, the fuel lid is positioned in a different vertical dimension, allowing for greater dimensional tolerance in manufacturing while preserving aesthetic appearance.
2Device complexity
If the tray is arranged in the concave portion to abut on the concave portion, then the structure is simplified, but the tray becomes wetted by spilled fuel or rainwater causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor of water and fuel accumulation is extracted from the concave portion by introducing a liquid guide rib structure. The rib creates a dedicated liquid collection area separated from the tray, allowing liquids to be directed away from the tray surface and preventing contamination while maintaining the simplified structural arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid guide rib acts as an intermediary element between the concave portion and the tray. It mediates the interaction by directing liquids along its surface into a collection area, preventing direct contact between liquids and the tray, thus protecting the tray from contamination while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the fuel lid is opened, then access to the fuel filler port is enabled, but dirt on the tray becomes visible degrading appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt and contamination are extracted from the visible area by separating the liquid collection function from the tray surface. The liquid guide rib creates a distinct liquid collection zone that is hidden or separated from the tray's visible surface, allowing the tray to appear clean when the fuel lid is opened while still providing fuel filling access.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motorcycle including a straddle space (46) provided in front of a seat (15), a center cover (45) formed in the straddle space (46), a fuel lid (97) openably attached to the center cover (45), and a concave portion (99) depressed downward which is provided in a center portion of the center cover (45) in the vehicle width direction, wherein the fuel lid (97) can be accommodated in the concave portion (99) in a closed state.