Motorcycle Tank Adapter with Snap-In Latching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle tank adapters require complex two-stage movements and significant space for assembly, leading to potential damage to the tank and visual disturbances, especially when attaching larger objects like luggage bags, and lack secure and easy handling.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle tank adapter with opposing snap-in devices that allow for single linear movement attachment, featuring latching elements that move perpendicular to the joining direction, securing the upper part to the lower part with a snap mechanism, and an anti-twist device for stable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a two-stage assembly movement is used to attach the upper part to the lower part, then the bearing lugs can be sufficiently stable and well-gripped, but a not inconsiderable overall height of the lower part is necessary and free space between the object and tank is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of bearing lugsVSAvoidoverall height of lower part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the upper part being hooked onto the lower part in a two-stage movement, the invention inverts the approach: the lower part is inserted into the upper part in a single linear movement. The bearing lugs are formed on the lower part and engage with corresponding recesses in the upper part, eliminating the need for complex two-stage assembly while reducing the overall height requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is divided into an upper part and a lower part with distinct functions. The upper part contains the snap-in device with latching elements, while the lower part contains the bearing lugs. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, with the lower part being compact and the upper part providing secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a two-stage assembly movement is used, then the bearing lugs can be sufficiently stable, but free space between the object and tank is required which is visually disturbing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of bearing lugsVSAvoidfree space between object and tank

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the assembly sequence: instead of attaching the upper part to the lower part, the lower part is inserted into the upper part in a single linear movement. This eliminates the need for tilting movements and reduces the required free space between the object and tank, providing a cleaner visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the upper part is hung blindly into the bearing lugs, then the assembly can be performed without visual contact, but the risk of canting or incomplete hooking and damage to the tank increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly without visual contactVSAvoidrisk of canting or incomplete hooking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with self-aligning features: the lower part with bearing lugs automatically aligns with the upper part during linear insertion. The snap-in device with latching elements provides self-guidance, ensuring correct positioning without requiring visual contact or complex alignment procedures by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

By inverting the assembly approach and having the lower part insert into the upper part rather than vice versa, the design enables straightforward linear insertion that is more forgiving of alignment errors and reduces the risk of canting or incomplete assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the upper part is hung blindly into the bearing lugs, then assembly can be performed without visual contact, but damage to the tank can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly without visual contactVSAvoiddamage to tank

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the assembly sequence to have the lower part insert into the upper part in a single linear movement. This approach provides better control over the attachment process, reduces the risk of accidental scratches or damage to the tank, and eliminates the need for risky tilting movements that could harm the tank surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2289783B1Adapter for attaching objects to the tank of a motorcycle

Publication Date: 2012.03.14 SW MOTECH GMBH & CO

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AI summary

The adapter has two snatching devices formed in an upper section (O), which are oppositely arranged and are movable in opposite directions to each other. Each snatching device has a fixed bracket, where the fixed brackets during attachment on the upper section on a lower part in a direction perpendicularly to an adding direction (F) are moved away.