Motorcycle Fuel Tank Support Structure with Diverging Frame Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle fuel-tank support structures limit the size of the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction due to the need for recesses and complex parts, making it difficult to increase fuel capacity and complicating the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A fuel-tank support structure featuring left and right outer extending portions on the main frames that diverge from the head pipe, supporting tank support stays protruding from the fuel tank, allowing for increased tank size without recesses and simplifying attachment by visual recognition of mounting positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fuel tank is supported by a single main frame with a recess structure, then the support structure is simple, but the fuel tank size in the vehicle width direction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent components: left and right outer extending portions on the main frame, and corresponding left and right tank support stays on the fuel tank. This segmentation allows the fuel tank to be supported at multiple discrete points, enabling increased width and capacity without requiring a complex monolithic support structure or recesses in the main frame.
2Strength
If recesses are formed in the fuel tank for support, then the fuel tank can be supported securely, but the fuel tank size is limited and the shape becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the fuel tank by forming recesses to fit support structures, the invention inverts the approach by providing protruding tank support stays on the fuel tank that fit into corresponding receptacles on the main frame's outer extending portions. This inversion eliminates the need for recesses in the fuel tank, simplifying its shape while maintaining secure support through the protruding-stay-and-receptacle interface.
3Reliability
If a complex support structure with recesses is used, then the fuel tank can be supported, but the attachment process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The tank support stays are preliminarily formed as protruding structures on the fuel tank during fuel tank manufacturing, and the outer extending portions with receptacles are formed on the main frame beforehand. This preliminary preparation of complementary protruding and receptacle structures enables straightforward attachment by simply mating these pre-formed components, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures while ensuring reliable support.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel-tank support structure for a motorcycle includes a left outer extending portion, a right outer extending portion, a left tank support stay, and a right tank support stay. The left outer extending portion is provided in a left main frame to extend outward in a vehicle width direction of the motorcycle. The left main frame extends rearward to diverge from a head pipe to left. The right outer extending portion is provided in a right main frame to extend outward in the vehicle width direction. The right main frame extends rearward to diverge from the head pipe to right. The left tank support stay protrudes from a fuel tank and is supported by the left outer extending portion. The right tank support stay protrudes from the fuel tank and is supported by the right outer extending portion.