Motorcycle Rear Suspension Adjuster Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional straddle-type vehicles face operability issues due to the placement of rear suspension adjusters, which can be mistaken for footrests by rear seat riders, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The adjusters for the rear suspension are positioned below the footrest when viewed from the rear, ensuring they are visible and not mistaken for footrests, with the adjuster disposed inside the vehicle body cover and overlapping with the footrest and muffler, maintaining operability while preventing accidental damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation member is positioned inside the vehicle body cover located under the rear seat, then the rear suspension can be adjusted, but the rear seat rider may mistake the operation member for the footrest and place their feet on top of it, which may damage the operation member
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (side of the vehicle) to a vertical arrangement (below the footrest when viewed from the rear). This dimensional change allows the operation member to be visible for easy access while being positioned out of the footrest area, eliminating the risk of rear seat riders mistakenly stepping on it.
2Ease of operation
If the operation member is positioned in a location where it can be seen from the outside, then operability is improved, but the rear seat rider may mistake the operation member for the footrest and place their feet on top of it
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member is positioned below the footrest in the vertical dimension when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. This allows it to be visible and accessible for operation while being clearly distinguished from the footrest, as it occupies a different spatial zone that riders will not confuse with a foot placement area.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the operation member is positioned inside the vehicle body cover, then it is protected from damage, but it becomes less visible and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The operation member is positioned below the footrest rather than being fully enclosed within the vehicle body cover. This vertical repositioning maintains visibility and accessibility for easy operation while still providing a degree of protection by placing it in a less exposed location compared to side-mounted configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle comprising: a vehicle body frame, at least one footrest on which a rider sitting on a rear seat of the straddle-type vehicle can place his/her foot, and which is attached to the vehicle body frame, a rear arm (17) swingably supported by the vehicle body frame and having a rear suspension (19), the rear suspension (19) including at least one adjuster (58) configured to remotely adjust at least one operation characteristic of the rear suspension (19), wherein the adjuster is at least partly disposed below the footrest when viewed from a rear of the straddle-type vehicle.