Motorcycle Seat Assembly for Extended Storage Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle designs with storage boxes positioned below the seats limit the capacity to accommodate long articles due to restricted front-rear direction space.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle design featuring a main seat rotatable around the front end and a tandem seat rotatable around the rear end of a storage space, allowing both seats to open and close independently to create a single, extended opening that spans the entire length of the storage space, enhancing capacity for long articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the storage box is positioned below the main seat with limited front-rear space, then the seat structure is compact and simple, but the storage capacity for long articles is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidfront-rear length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seat assembly is divided into two independent rotatable seats: a main seat that can rotate around a front rotation axis, and a tandem seat that can rotate around a rear rotation axis. This segmentation allows the storage space to be accessed from both front and rear, effectively doubling the accessible length of the storage box and enabling accommodation of long articles that would not fit in a single-access configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rotational movement around horizontal axes (front-rear rotation) in addition to the traditional vertical hinge rotation. This adds a new dimension of motion, allowing the seats to open the storage space from front and rear simultaneously, converting a one-dimensional access limitation into a three-dimensional access solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If both main seat and tandem seat are made rotatable around different axes, then the storage space becomes accessible from both ends for long articles, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidseat mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex dual-access requirement is segmented into two independent single-access mechanisms: the main seat rotation mechanism for front access and the tandem seat rotation mechanism for rear access. Each mechanism is simpler and more reliable than a single complex mechanism would be, while together they provide the desired versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both the main seat and tandem seat serve dual functions: they provide seating for riders and simultaneously serve as access mechanisms for the storage space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate access mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If the main seat and tandem seat are positioned close together, then the overall vehicle length is reduced, but the storage box capacity in the front-rear direction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle lengthVSAvoidstorage box volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the access dimension from vertical-only (traditional hinge) to include horizontal rotation around front and rear axes. This allows the storage box to be accessed from both ends simultaneously, effectively utilizing the front-rear dimension for storage capacity without increasing the overall vehicle length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage space is effectively segmented into front-accessible and rear-accessible zones by the two independent rotatable seats. This segmentation allows optimal utilization of the limited front-rear space, with each zone independently accessible, maximizing the usable volume within the constrained length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1864895B1Motorcycle
Publication Date: 2010.12.15 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1864895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1864895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1864895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle comprises a storage space (33), a main seat (9a) and a tandem seat (9b), wherein the main seat (9a) is rotatable around a front rotation axis positioned at a front end of the storage space (33) and the tandem seat (9b) is rotatable around a rear rotation axis positioned at a rear end of the storage space (33). The main seat (9a) is adapted to open and close an opening of a front region (33b) of the storage space (33) and the tandem seat (9b) is adapted to open and close an opening of a rear region (33c) of the storage space (33).