Saddle Vehicle Air Guide Structure Using Nested Cover Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air guide structures for saddle-type vehicles have conspicuous air intake holes that compromise vehicle appearance and are prone to ingesting foreign materials like rainwater and dust, complicating the vehicle-body cover structure.

Innovation Solution

An air guide structure that forms an air intake hole by overlapping parts of the vehicle-body cover, creating a cavity that directs air intake downward, thus simplifying the structure and reducing visibility of the intake hole, with features like air guide ribs and protrusions to manage airflow and prevent foreign material intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an air intake hole is provided on the front cover opened forward, then traveling air can be introduced into the air guide passage, but the air intake hole becomes conspicuous and equipment inside the vehicle becomes visible, degrading vehicle appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair introduction functionVSAvoidvehicle appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake hole is repositioned from a forward-facing opening to a downward-facing opening formed by the gap between overlapping cover members. This dimensional change in opening orientation allows the air intake function to be achieved while the opening is no longer visible from the front, thus improving vehicle appearance while maintaining air introduction capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The first cover member is arranged inside the second cover member, with the second cover member overlapping the first cover member to partially cover it from outside. This nested arrangement creates the air intake hole downwardly through the gap between the overlapping members, allowing the air intake function to be integrated within the layered cover structure rather than requiring a separate forward opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If an air intake hole is provided on the front cover, then traveling air can be introduced into the air guide passage, but foreign materials such as rainwater and dust are easily ingested from the air intake hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair introduction functionVSAvoidforeign material ingestion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the orientation of the air intake hole from forward-facing to downward-facing, the opening now faces away from the direction of travel, preventing rainwater and dust carried by the moving vehicle from being ingested while still allowing traveling air to be introduced into the air guide passage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The overlapping structure of the first and second cover members, which creates the downwardly-formed air intake hole, serves dual purposes: it enables air introduction while simultaneously acting as a protective barrier that prevents foreign materials from entering, thus converting the potential harm of an exposed opening into a beneficial protective feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a structure for removing foreign materials is added to the air intake hole, then foreign material ingestion can be prevented, but the structure of the vehicle-body cover becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign material ingestionVSAvoidvehicle-body cover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first cover member is nested inside the second cover member, with the second cover member overlapping the first cover member. This nested arrangement inherently creates the downwardly-formed air intake hole through the gap between the overlapping members, integrating the air intake function and foreign material protection within the existing layered cover structure without requiring additional separate components or complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 simplifies the air intake structure, reduces visibility of the intake hole, enhances vehicle appearance, and effectively directs airflow while preventing foreign material entry, improving both aesthetics and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

An outer edge of the second cover member separates from the first cover member at a part of a front side of the air guide passage to form a gap. An air intake hole is formed downward by the gap and is configured to introduce traveling air into the air guide passage.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow direction control through gap formation:

Data Source

PatentUS10450026B2Air guide structure of a saddle-type vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

AI summary

An air guide structure of a saddle-type vehicle includes a front side cover which covers a front side of the saddle-type vehicle, extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and includes a first cover member and a second cover member. The first cover member is arranged inside the second cover member. The second cover member overlaps the first cover member to partially cover the first cover member from outside. A cavity extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed as an air guide passage by overlapping the first cover member and the second cover member. An outer edge of the second cover member separates from the first cover member at a part of a front side of the air guide passage to form a gap. An air intake hole is formed downward by the gap and is configured to introduce traveling air into the air guide passage.