Motorcycle Wing Support Structure for Forward Front-Wheel Downforce

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wing members for straddled vehicles struggle to generate downforce at a relatively forward position, leading to difficulty in applying the downforce to the front wheel and compromising the rigidity and strength of the wing member.

Innovation Solution

A wing member design with a support structure that includes a first and second attachment portion and an arm, where the wing extends forward of the support, featuring a curved trailing edge to reduce weight and air resistance, ensuring sufficient rigidity and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the wing extends more forward than the support, then the downforce generation position shifts forward, but the rigidity and strength of the wing member deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownforce generation positionVSAvoidwing member strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion disposed at different longitudinal positions. The wing is segmented into a forward protrusion extending beyond the support front end and a main body portion supported by the support. This segmentation allows the forward protrusion to generate downforce at a forward position while the main body portion maintains structural strength through proper support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is extended in the longitudinal direction by providing both a first attachment portion at a forward position and a second attachment portion at a rearward position. This dimensional extension of the support structure enables the wing to extend forward beyond the support while maintaining adequate support coverage, thus resolving the contradiction between forward downforce generation and structural strength.

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

2Force

If the wing extends more forward than the support, then the downforce generation position shifts forward, but the rigidity of the wing member deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownforce generation positionVSAvoidwing member rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wing is segmented into a forward protrusion that extends beyond the support front end and a main body portion that is supported by the support structure. This segmentation allows the forward protrusion to generate downforce at a forward position while the main body portion maintains structural rigidity through proper support by the first and second attachment portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is extended in the longitudinal direction with the first attachment portion positioned forward and the second attachment portion positioned rearward. This dimensional extension provides adequate support coverage for the wing's extended configuration, maintaining rigidity while enabling forward downforce generation.

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

3Force

If the wing extends more forward than the support, then it is easy to generate downforce at a forward position, but it becomes difficult to firmly support the wing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownforce generation capabilityVSAvoidwing support firmness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support is segmented into two attachment portions: a first attachment portion that attaches to the vehicle body and joins the wing, and a second attachment portion disposed rearward that also attaches to the vehicle body. This segmentation provides multiple support points, firmly supporting the wing even when it extends forward beyond the support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An arm is added as a connecting component between the second attachment portion and the wing. This dimensional addition creates a triangular support configuration that enhances support firmness while allowing the wing to extend forward, thus maintaining both downforce generation capability and support firmness.

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

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 design allows for effective generation of downforce at a forward position, enhancing the rigidity and strength of the wing member while minimizing air resistance, thus effectively applying the downforce to the front wheel.

Implementation Method 1

the trailing edge of the wing includes a curved portion that curves convexly forward in a plan view of the straddled vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic flow optimization: Drag

Implementation Method 2

The wing extends rearward toward the outside in the transverse direction of the straddled vehicle. The wing generates a downforce.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic downforce generation: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP4660065A1Wing member and straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4660065A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660065A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660065A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a wing member (30) for a straddled vehicle (1) including a support (40) and a wing (50); the wing (50) being supported by the support (40); the support (40) having a front end (40a); the wing (50) including a forward protrusion (60); the forward protrusion (60) being located more forward than the front end (40a); the support (40) including a first attachment portion (41), a second attachment portion (42), and an arm (43); the first attachment portion (41) being attached to the vehicle body (3) and joined to the wing (50); the second attachment portion (42) being disposed more rearward than the first attachment portion (41) and is attached to the vehicle body (3); the arm (43) being joined to the second attachment portion (42) and is joined to the wing (50); the wing (50) having a trailing edge (54) in vehicle plan view; the trailing edge (54) including a curved portion (55) that curves convexly forward in vehicle plan view.