Scooter Footboard Length via Off-Center Down Frame Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance rider comfort in scooter type vehicles by lengthening the flat footboard along the longitudinal direction while minimizing its width, as existing designs are limited by the placement of the fuel tank and fuel supply pipe, which restricts the footboard's extension without compromising stability or increasing its transverse size.
Innovation Solution
The design positions the down frame and fuel supply pipe off-center, allowing the footrest portions to extend longitudinally without increasing the footboard's width, by overlapping the fuel tank and down frame, and strategically positioning the footrests to maximize space and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fuel supply pipe is disposed in front of the flat footboard to extend upward, then the fuel supply aperture can be in a high position, but the position or length of the flat footboard is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipe is routed through the down frame structure, transitioning from a horizontal arrangement that would block the footboard to a vertical arrangement that passes through the frame's depth dimension, thereby clearing the footboard's longitudinal space while maintaining fuel supply functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel supply pipe is nested within or alongside the down frame structure, utilizing the existing frame space to route the pipe without requiring additional external space that would constrain the footboard dimensions
2Length of stationary object
If the width of the flat footboard in the transverse direction is increased, then it is possible to increase the length of the flat footboard in the longitudinal direction, but the bank angle through which the rider can lean the scooter type vehicle becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The down frame is positioned asymmetrically toward one side of the vehicle rather than centered, creating unequal space distribution that allows the footboard to extend longitudinally on both sides of the frame without increasing transverse width, thereby preserving banking capability while maximizing footboard length
3Quantity of substance
If the fuel tank is installed under the flat footboard, then the fuel supply pipe must be disposed in front of the flat footboard, but this constitutes a cause of limitation of the position or length of the flat footboard
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply pipe changes its routing dimension by passing vertically through the down frame rather than horizontally in front of the footboard, thereby resolving the spatial conflict between fuel supply requirements and footboard length requirements
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
If a down frame (12) extends toward the right side, then, when viewed in a vehicle plan view, at least a portion of a fuel supply pipe (43) is disposed on the left side of the vehicle with respect to a center line. If the down frame (12) extends toward the left side, then at least a portion of the fuel supply pipe (43) is disposed on the right side of the vehicle with respect to the center line. The central portion of a flat footboard (34) is disposed behind a lower end portion of the down frame (12) and of the fuel supply pipe (43). A left footrest portion (36) is disposed forward the central portion (35), and moreover toward the left side of the lower end portion of the down frame (12) and of the fuel supply pipe (43). And a right footrest portion (34) is disposed forward the central portion (35), and moreover toward the right side of the lower end portion of the down frame (12) and of the fuel supply pipe (43).