Rear Fuel Tank Supporting Structure for Saddle-Ride Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rear fuel tank supporting structure for saddle-ride type vehicles with a monocoque rear frame tends to increase the weight of the vehicle due to the need for a shape that encloses the fuel tank, compromising the efficiency of support force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A rear fuel tank supporting structure that incorporates resin tanks with bent parts, where the bent surfaces or their vicinity are fastened to side panel parts and an upper cross part, providing enhanced rigidity and support while maintaining a lightweight monocoque rear frame, and includes a front cross part to regulate movement and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the monocoque rear frame is formed into a shape enclosing the rubber fuel tank, then the fuel tank is securely supported, but the weight of the rear frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear frame is divided into separate functional components: side panel parts for vertical support, upper cross part for horizontal restraint, and front cross part for forward movement control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a complete enclosing structure, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly reinforcing the entire rear frame enclosure, the patent applies local reinforcement only where needed: at the bent parts of the fuel tank where fastening occurs, and at strategic locations where support force is most critical. This localized approach provides necessary support while minimizing unnecessary weight in other areas.
2Reliability
If the monocoque rear frame is formed into a shape enclosing the rubber fuel tank, then the fuel tank is securely supported, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented across multiple lightweight components (side panel parts, upper cross part, front cross part) rather than requiring a single heavy enclosing frame. This distribution of support functions reduces the total weight of the vehicle while maintaining adequate support for the fuel tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin-walled but strategically positioned panel parts and cross parts that provide sufficient support through geometric configuration rather than material thickness. The bent parts of the fuel tank and the associated frame components create a lightweight shell structure that offers adequate protection and support without excessive weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A saddle-ride type vehicle, with rear frame provided with right and left side panel parts, and an upper cross part provided between upper parts of the right and left side panel parts. A rear fuel tank is a resin tank molded to have a bent surface with a boundary between a lateral surface part and a bottom surface part of the rear fuel tank bent, and the bent surface of the rear fuel tank 38 is fastened and fixed to the side panel parts. An upper part of the rear fuel tank is fastened and fixed to the upper cross part.