Saddle-ride Vehicle Frame Mass Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In saddle-ride type vehicles, the spatial separation of heavy components like the engine and rear suspension leads to mass dispersion, affecting load transmission and stability.

Innovation Solution

The rear suspension is supported on a cross member closer to the seat rails, with the engine positioned forward of the pivot frames, reducing mass dispersion and enhancing load absorption by positioning the cross member to disperse stress from the front wheel and minimize load transmission to the main frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the rear suspension supporting portion is disposed at the rear of the cross member, then the rear suspension can be supported, but the engine and rear suspension become spatially separated causing mass dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass concentrationVSAvoidspatial arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear suspension supporting portion is positioned forward of the pivot frames in the longitudinal direction, while the cross member is positioned above the main frames in the vertical direction. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the heavy engine and rear suspension to be spatially close for mass concentration, while maintaining proper functional separation through different spatial dimensions.

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

2Strength

If the cross member is positioned close to the main frame coupling portions, then structural rigidity is improved, but load from the front wheel is transmitted to the rear wheel through the main frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidload transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cross member is extracted from the main frame structure and positioned as a separate component above the main frames. This separation allows the cross member to provide structural support and rigidity for the rear suspension without being part of the load transmission path from the front wheel through the main frames to the rear wheel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross member acts as an intermediary structure that supports the rear suspension independently. By positioning it above the main frames rather than coupling it directly to the main frame coupling portions, it mediates between the rear suspension and the main frame structure, preventing direct load transmission while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If the cross member is positioned close to the seat rail coupling portions, then load transmission to main frames is minimized, but access to the rear suspension supporting portion becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload transmission minimizationVSAvoidaccessibility for assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rear suspension supporting portion is positioned forward of the pivot frames in the longitudinal dimension, creating accessibility from the front. The cross member is positioned above the main frames in the vertical dimension, maintaining load isolation. This multi-dimensional positioning achieves both load minimization and ease of assembly.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3002204B1Saddle-ride type vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3002204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3002204B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3002204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A saddle-ride type vehicle supports a cushion upper end coupling portion (18d) on a cross member (18) coupling left and right pivot frames (13) and supports an engine below left and right main frames (12) forwardly of the left and right pivot frames (13), the cross member (18) is disposed closer to seat rail coupling portions (13b) between upper rear portions of the left and right pivot frames (13), the cushion upper end coupling portion (18d) is provided at a leading end portion of a cushion support bracket (18c) extending forwardly and downwardly from the cross member (18).