Motorcycle Leg Shield Rigidity via Side Cover Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle leg shield designs with openings compromise rigidity and increase weight or complexity when trying to maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A front portion structure for a motorcycle body cover featuring a leg shield with integrated extensions on front side covers that surround openings, a flange portion attached to the leg shield, and curved designs to enhance rigidity, along with lids for closing openings, eliminating the need for additional ribs or increased thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in a leg shield, then access for maintenance or accommodation of components is improved, but rigidity of the leg shield deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the rigidity-reinforcing structure from the leg shield into the front side cover, utilizing the third dimension (depth/extension) to distribute structural support away from the opening location. The extension projects forwardly and overlaps with the rear face of the leg shield, creating a spatial distribution of rigidity that doesn't interfere with the opening's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the structural support function between multiple components: the leg shield, the front side cover, and the extension. This segmentation allows the opening to be located in the leg shield while the extension in the front side cover provides the necessary rigidity reinforcement, separating the access function from the structural support function.
2Strength
If thickness of leg shield is increased to maintain rigidity with opening, then rigidity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rigidity-reinforcing function from the leg shield itself and relocates it to the front side cover with the extension. This allows the leg shield to remain thin and lightweight while the extension provides the necessary structural support from a different location, eliminating the need to increase leg shield thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding thickness in the same dimension where the opening weakens the structure, the patent adds structural support in a different dimension by extending forwardly from the front side cover. This spatial redistribution of material provides rigidity without increasing the thickness or weight of the leg shield.
3Strength
If ribs are provided on leg shield to maintain rigidity with opening, then rigidity is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complexity of adding ribs to the leg shield by extracting the rigidity-reinforcing function and placing it in the front side cover instead. The extension provides the necessary structural support without modifying the leg shield's simple, rib-free structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the structural support function from the leg shield and assigns it to the front side cover with the extension. This segmentation maintains the leg shield's structural simplicity while achieving the required rigidity through the separate extension component.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a front portion structure of a vehicle body cover for a motorcycle, a pair of front side covers which cover a head pipe from left and right sides are provided continuously to the left and right sides of a leg shield which covers the head pipe from the rear, and openings are provided in the leg shield. An extension 38a (38aa, 38ab) is provided integrally on a front side cover 38 so as to extend to a rear face of a leg shield 39 and surround at least part of an opening 60 or 64 and overlap with the rear face of the leg shield 39 around the opening 60 or 64. This arrangement assures rigidity readily without leading to complication in structure or weight increase.