Scooter Fuel Filter Positioning for Engine Swing Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scooter-type vehicles face challenges in freely setting the capacity of their fuel filters due to the swing of unit-swing type engines, which restricts the size and leads to potential clogging and frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
The fuel filter is positioned between the down frame and the fuel tank, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle-width direction, allowing for flexible sizing and attachment using an elastically deformable C-shaped filter support clip, and finer meshes to capture fine dust without clogging, while a pressure regulator and pump-anterior filter are strategically placed to manage fuel flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel filter is disposed rearward of the fuel tank in the anteroposterior direction, then the fuel filter can be installed in the fuel supply passage, but the engine and head cover swing close to the fuel filter causing clearance issues and restricting fuel filter size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of the fuel filter from a rearward position (anteroposterior direction) to a lateral position (vehicle width direction) between the down frame and fuel tank. This dimensional shift allows the fuel filter to be positioned in previously unused space, eliminating interference with the swinging engine while enabling larger filter capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the fuel filter is downsized to ensure clearance with the swinging engine, then clearance is maintained, but the replacement cycle of the fuel filter element becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the fuel filter in the vehicle width direction between the down frame and fuel tank, the patent creates sufficient clearance from the swinging engine without reducing filter size. This allows the fuel filter to maintain a longer replacement cycle while ensuring adequate operational clearance.
3Volume of moving object
If the fuel filter is disposed between the down frame and fuel tank in the vehicle width direction, then the fuel filter size can be freely set without restriction from engine swing, but the fuel supply passage layout becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel supply passage is segmented into multiple sections with dedicated positioning for each component. The fuel filter is isolated in its own spatial zone between the down frame and fuel tank, while the fuel pump and other components are positioned in separate areas. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned without interfering with others, managing complexity through systematic spatial organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral positioning of the fuel filter between the down frame and fuel tank serves multiple functions: it provides adequate filtration capacity, maintains clearance from the swinging engine, utilizes previously wasted space, and allows access for maintenance. This multi-functional positioning resolves the contradiction by achieving multiple benefits simultaneously despite the complex passage layout.
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
This configuration allows for the free sizing of the fuel filter, reduces dead space, extends filter replacement cycles, and facilitates maintenance, ensuring efficient fuel filtration and reduced maintenance needs, even with fuels containing fine dust like ethanol.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable C-shaped filter support clip
Implementation Method 2
a fuel filter for purifying fuel disposed in an intermediate portion of the fuel supply passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A scooter-type vehicle comprising a cross pipe (61) spanned between a pair of left and right lower frames (14L) and a lower end of a down frame (13) is connected to a central portion of the cross pipe (61). A fuel filter (57) is disposed so that its lower end is higher by distance (L1) than the lower end of cross pipe (61). The fuel filter (57) is disposed between the down frame (13) and the fuel tank (32).