Purge Control Valve Nesting in Straddle Vehicle Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

In straddle-type vehicles, the layout of the purge control valve outside the rear frame creates dead space between the fuel tank and storage box, and the valve is not adequately protected from external impacts, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and protection.

Innovation Solution

The purge control valve is positioned between the fuel tank and storage box, surrounded by the fuel tank, storage box, and rear frames, allowing effective utilization of dead space and enhanced protection from impacts by routing the purge pipe inward and fixing the valve to the rear fender.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the purge control valve is arranged outside the rear frame, then the valve is easily accessible for installation and maintenance, but the space between the fuel tank and storage box becomes dead space and the valve is not adequately protected from external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of purge control valveVSAvoidProtection from external impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The purge control valve is positioned within the spatial envelope formed by the fuel tank, storage box, and rear frames, effectively nesting the valve within the existing structural boundaries of the vehicle to eliminate dead space and provide inherent protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The purge control valve is integrated into the rear frame structure, merging the valve assembly with the vehicle's structural framework to provide both structural support and protection while eliminating the need for separate mounting stays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the purge control valve is arranged outside the rear frame, then the valve can be easily accessed, but the layout creates dead space between the fuel tank and storage box reducing space efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of purge control valveVSAvoidSpace utilization between fuel tank and storage box
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The purge control valve is positioned within the spatial envelope formed by the fuel tank, storage box, and rear frames, effectively nesting the valve within the existing structural boundaries of the vehicle to eliminate dead space and provide inherent protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve arrangement transitions from an external positioning to an internal integration within the rear frame structure, utilizing the third dimension (depth/vertical space) to optimize the layout between the fuel tank and storage box

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the purge control valve is arranged outside the rear frame, then installation is straightforward, but the valve lacks adequate protection from external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of installation of purge control valveVSAvoidProtection of purge control valve from impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The purge control valve is integrated into the rear frame structure, merging the valve assembly with the vehicle's structural framework to provide both structural support and protection while eliminating the need for separate mounting stays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The purge control valve is positioned within the spatial envelope formed by the fuel tank, storage box, and rear frames, effectively nesting the valve within the existing structural boundaries of the vehicle to eliminate dead space and provide inherent protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4023537B1Straddle-type vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4023537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4023537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4023537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a straddle-type vehicle (10) wherein a purge control valve (76) is provided in front of a fuel tank (52) and to the rear of a storage box (54). In addition, in a side view of the straddle-type vehicle (10), the purge control valve (76) is provided in a position overlapping rear frames (24L, 24R) that constitute a vehicle body frame (14).