Scooter Leg Shield Operation Surface Layout for Hidden Key Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straddle-type vehicles face issues with keyhole visibility in key cylinders, leading to reduced operability and compromised appearance and crime prevention due to the keyhole being either inconspicuous or conspicuous.

Innovation Solution

The operation device is installed on the inner side of the front rack with an obliquely downward-facing operation surface, hidden in a recess, ensuring inconspicuousness in normal states and easy visibility in emergencies by positioning it above the driver's and passenger's line of sight when they lower their posture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the keyhole is positioned to face the side for inconspicuousness, then appearance and crime prevention are improved, but visibility and workability of unlocking operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrime preventionVSAvoidworkability of unlocking operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The keyhole is positioned to face upward instead of facing sideways as in conventional designs. This inversion allows the keyhole to remain inconspicuous when viewed from the front while being easily accessible and visible from above, thus resolving the contradiction between crime prevention and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyhole orientation is changed from a horizontal (side-facing) arrangement to a vertical (upward-facing) arrangement. This dimensional change enables the keyhole to be hidden from front views while remaining accessible from above, simultaneously achieving both inconspicuousness and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the keyhole is positioned to face upward for easy visibility, then workability of unlocking operation is improved, but appearance and crime prevention deteriorate due to conspicuousness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of keyholeVSAvoidappearance and crime prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The keyhole is positioned in a specific location on the inner surface of the storage box lid, facing upward. This localized positioning ensures that the keyhole is visible and accessible from above while remaining hidden from front views, thus achieving both ease of operation and inconspicuousness through spatial differentiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the operation device is installed on the inner surface of the storage box for inconspicuousness, then appearance and crime prevention are improved, but visibility and operability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidvisibility of operation surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of installing the operation device on the front-facing inner surface, it is installed on the inner surface of the storage box lid facing upward. This inverted positioning makes the device inconspicuous from the front while highly visible and accessible from above, resolving the contradiction between appearance and operability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4653300A1Installation structure for operation device in scooter leg shield

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

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AI summary

An installation structure for an operation device (42). The installation structure is provided in an inner side of a front shield (31) of a straddle-type vehicle (1). An installation surface (33) on which the operation device (42) is installed is formed on an upper portion of the front shield (31). An operation surface (43) of the operation device (42) faces downward, the operation surface being exposed from the installation surface (33).