Muffler Protector Combining Metal and Resin for Uniform Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Muffler protectors for saddle-ride vehicles often experience uneven surface temperatures and restricted design freedom due to the combination of metal and synthetic resin protector members, which can lead to increased temperature at fixing points and limited design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A muffler protector design that combines a metal protector member and a synthetic resin protector member, where the synthetic resin member is fixed to the metal member with protrusion shafts and a holding unit, allowing for even temperature distribution and flexible design, with the metal member positioned closer to the muffler to manage heat and reduce temperature increases at the synthetic resin surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the protector member made of a metal and the protector member made of a synthetic resin are fastened together with bolts to a bracket, then the heat insulating property is improved, but the surface temperature becomes uneven and the fixing position is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface temperature uniformityVSAvoidfixing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bolt and bracket components from the fixing structure, replacing them with a direct integration approach where the metal protector member is directly coupled to the synthetic resin protector member without intermediate fastening components. This eliminates the complex fixing structure while maintaining the heat insulating function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the metal protector member and synthetic resin protector member into a unified structure where the metal member serves as both the protective element and the mounting interface. The synthetic resin member is directly attached to the metal member, combining the heat insulating function with the structural function in a single integrated assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If the protector member made of a metal and the protector member made of a synthetic resin are fastened together with bolts, then the heat insulating property is improved, but the shape design is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulating propertyVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protector into two functional parts: a metal protector member for heat resistance and structural support, and a synthetic resin protector member for heat insulation and design flexibility. These segments are joined through direct coupling without bolts, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall design freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a metal member with high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation and a synthetic resin member with low thermal conductivity for heat insulation. This material parameter differentiation allows the metal member to manage heat while the resin member provides thermal protection, enabling diverse shape designs without compromising heat insulating performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the protector member made of a metal and the protector member made of a synthetic resin are fastened together with bolts, then the structural strength is improved, but the surface temperature unevenness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsurface temperature unevenness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the metal protector member as an intermediary between the heat source (muffler) and the synthetic resin protector member. The metal member conducts heat away from the interface, preventing localized heat accumulation that would occur with bolt fastening. This intermediary role of the metal member ensures both structural strength and uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution eliminates surface temperature unevenness and provides wide design freedom for muffler protectors, ensuring safer touch temperatures and reduced component count, while maintaining effective heat management and protection.

Implementation Method 1

a metal protector member (51) and a synthetic-resin protector member (52), which cover at least a part of an outer side surface of the muffler (4)... the metal member positioned closer to the muffler to manage heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a protector member made of a metal and a protector member made of a synthetic resin, which are used in combination... excellent in heat insulating property

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2532854B1Muffler protector and saddle-ride type vehicle
Publication Date: 2015.04.15 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2532854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2532854B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2532854B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

Provided is a muffler protector to be used for a muffler of a saddle-ride type vehicle, which includes a protector member made of a metal and a protector member made of a synthetic resin, which are used in combination, and in which unevenness in surface temperature of the protector member made of a synthetic resin are eliminated and wide design freedom is attained. A muffler protector (5) for covering at least a part of an outer side surface of a muffler (4) of the saddle-ride type vehicle includes: a metal protector member (51) fixed to the muffler (4) by a metal protector member fixing portion (53); and a synthetic-resin protector member (52) fixed to the metal protector member (51) by a synthetic-resin protector member fixing portion, the synthetic-resin protector member (52) including an opening (521) for exposing the metal protector member fixing portion (53).