Motorcycle Fuel Tank Arrangement for Compact Component Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle designs face challenges in conveniently locating the fuel tank, air cleaner, and fuel pump while maintaining optimal performance, assembly simplicity, and contained dimensions, as previous solutions either increase the motorcycle's height or compromise the fuel tank's shape and capacity.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner is positioned behind the fuel tank, and the fuel tank is shaped to accommodate the fuel pump and injection system without increasing height, allowing the fuel pump to be conveniently located inside while maintaining the fuel tank's capacity and ensuring the air cleaner's performance is improved without affecting the motorcycle's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fuel pump is placed far away from the injection system, then the space for locating other component parts is increased, but the fuel pipe length increases causing pressure loss and connection difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is positioned in the vertical space above the air cleaner rather than extending horizontally, utilizing the third dimension to resolve the conflict between space utilization and component proximity. This vertical arrangement allows the fuel pump to be close to the injection system while providing space for other components in the horizontal plane.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fuel tank dimensions are increased to accommodate the fuel pump, then the fuel pump can be housed inside the tank, but the overall height of the motorcycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is oriented vertically above the air cleaner, utilizing vertical space rather than increasing horizontal dimensions. This allows the fuel pump to be integrated into the existing structure without increasing the overall height of the motorcycle, as it fits within the existing vertical envelope above the air cleaner.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel pump is positioned within the space above the air cleaner, effectively nesting components vertically. The fuel tank extends to accommodate this vertical arrangement, and the seat is positioned to form a continuous surface with the fuel tank, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization without increasing height.
3Reliability
If the air cleaner is positioned to improve performance, then air cleaner performance is enhanced, but the overall layout and dimensions of the motorcycle are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner is positioned horizontally behind the fuel tank rather than vertically, allowing it to extend in the horizontal plane. This arrangement improves air cleaner performance by providing adequate space for air intake and filtration while maintaining a compact vertical profile that does not increase motorcycle height.
4Reliability
If the fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank, then the collecting portion is optimized, but the shape and dimensions of the fuel tank are influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump is positioned vertically above the air cleaner with its inlet facing downward, allowing it to be integrated into the fuel tank structure without significantly altering the tank's external shape. The fuel tank extends to accommodate the vertical fuel pump arrangement, and the seat is positioned to form a continuous surface, maintaining the conventional fuel tank appearance while housing the fuel pump internally.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fuel tank 10 is positioned forward of an air cleaner 28 and has a rear wall 62h extending rearward and diagonally upward. A fuel pump 60 is mounted on the rear wall 62h to extend forward.