Motorcycle Horn Cover Air Guide Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saddle-ride type vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal sound pressure for horns while minimizing the impact of air flow, which can generate drag or lift, affecting vehicle controllability.

Innovation Solution

A front cover system with an inner and outer cover, featuring an air guide surface and a relief portion with a mesh structure, is positioned to cover the horn and guide air flow, reducing direct air impact and ensuring consistent sound pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cover or louver is placed in front of the horn to adjust sound pressure, then sound pressure control is improved, but the horn becomes more affected by air flow generating drag or lift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound pressure controlVSAvoidair flow influence

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front cover is divided into an outer cover and an inner cover positioned at different depths. The inner cover includes an air guide surface and relief portion, while the outer cover provides additional protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the inner cover guides air flow away from the horn while the outer cover maintains overall structure and sound pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide surface acts as an intermediary between the incoming air flow and the horn. It redirects the air flow along the vehicle longitudinal direction, preventing direct impact on the horn. The relief portion serves as another intermediary element that further guides air flow to avoid the horn area, reducing drag and lift forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the horn is positioned to be less affected by air flow, then vehicle controllability is improved, but sound pressure may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow influenceVSAvoidsound pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inner cover is designed with different functional zones: the air guide surface for flow control, the relief portion for horn protection, and the covering with mesh structure for sound transmission. Each zone has optimized properties for its specific function, allowing the horn to be protected from air flow while maintaining sound pressure through the mesh covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a complex cover structure is added to protect the horn from air flow, then device complexity increases, but air flow influence is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow influenceVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner cover performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides air flow through the air guide surface, protects the horn via the relief portion, and transmits sound through the mesh covering. The outer cover provides both structural support and additional air flow management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide surface, relief portion, and covering are integrated into a single inner cover component, which is then combined with the outer cover. This merging of functions into unified components simplifies the overall structure compared to having separate elements for air guidance, horn protection, and sound transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enhances vehicle controllability by minimizing air flow influence on the horn, maintaining predetermined sound pressure, and reducing component count through a shared support structure.

Implementation Method 1

The inner cover includes an air guide surface extending in a vehicle-longitudinal direction with the horn being placed at the rear of the air guide surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

The inner cover further includes a relief portion leaning outward in the vehicle-width direction to steer clear of a vehicle forward side of the horn

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow redirection:

Implementation Method 3

The inner cover includes a covering provided on a surface contiguous with the air guide surface to cover at least a part of the vehicle forward side of the horn, the covering having a mesh structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound transmission through mesh:

Data Source

PatentUS9260058B2Saddle-ride type vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A technique to adequately provide a sound pressure of a horn that is less affected by a flow of air. In a motorcycle including a front cover for laterally covering a horn, the front cover includes an outer cover and an inner cover located inwardly of the outer cover in a vehicle-width direction. The inner cover includes an air guide surface extending in a vehicle-longitudinal direction. The horn is placed at the rear of the air guide surface. The inner cover further includes a relief portion leaning outwardly in the vehicle-width direction to steer clear of a vehicle forward side of the horn. The inner cover includes a covering provided on a surface contiguous with the air guide surface to cover at least a part of the vehicle forward side of the horn. The covering has a mesh structure.