Vehicle Power Unit Starter Motor Relocation Below Oil Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power units for scooter-type motorcycles face space constraints in the upper engine body due to the arrangement of intake systems and starter motors, making it difficult to accommodate other engine components, especially with the integration of advanced continuously variable transmission mechanisms like ECVT.
Innovation Solution
The power unit design features an oil reservoir portion on the bottom of the engine body projecting downward from the transmission casing, allowing the electric starter motor to be positioned adjacent to the oil reservoir's side wall, with the transmission casing arranged laterally and the electric motor above the lower edge of the transmission casing, enabling efficient use of space for other components like the ECVT mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intake system and starter motor are arranged in the upper space of the engine body, then the starting function and intake function are ensured, but the upper space of the engine body is occupied and it is hard to ensure space for other engine constituent parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional relocation by moving the starter motor from the upper space to the lower space of the engine body, specifically arranging it below the oil reservoir portion. This spatial reconfiguration in the vertical dimension resolves the contradiction by preserving the upper space for ECVT components while maintaining the starting function through the relocated starter motor positioned adjacent to the oil reservoir portion.
2Reliability
If the intake system and starter motor are arranged in the upper space of the engine body, then the starting function and intake function are ensured, but it is hard to accommodate advanced transmission mechanisms like ECVT
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables ECVT integration by relocating the starter motor to the lower dimension (below the oil reservoir portion), thereby freeing the upper dimensional space for accommodating the ECVT mechanism. This dimensional separation allows both the starting function and advanced transmission mechanism to coexist without spatial conflict.
3Length of moving object
If the power unit is compacted to reduce size, then the overall dimensions are reduced, but there is insufficient space for all necessary engine components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning the starter motor within or adjacent to the oil reservoir portion structure, utilizing the existing structural space efficiently. The starter motor is arranged below the oil reservoir portion, effectively nesting it within the lower structural envelope, which maximizes space utilization and allows compact power unit design while accommodating all necessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
By relocating the starter motor to the lower vertical dimension below the oil reservoir portion, the patent creates efficient three-dimensional space utilization. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the power unit to maintain compact overall dimensions while ensuring sufficient volume for all engine components through optimized spatial arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a power unit for a vehicle, in particular a saddle-ride type vehicle, comprising an engine body and a transmission casing joined thereto, wherein an oil reservoir portion is formed on a bottom of the engine body so as to project downward from a lower edge of the transmission casing and an electric motor is arranged adjacent to a side wall of the oil reservoir portion, and vehicle provided with the power unit.