Sensor Cover Mounting in Straddled Vehicles to Deter Theft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straddled vehicles face issues with maintainability and theft/mischief of transparent covers protecting sensing devices, which can be compromised by damage, dirt, or fogging, leading to reduced detection capability.

Innovation Solution

A detachable transparent cover with first and second mounting portions, combined with a windscreen that can overlap the mounting portions to restrict access, and a guide portion to prevent fogging, enhancing maintainability and deter theft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the transparent cover is made detachable for easy maintenance, then the maintainability is improved, but the risk of theft or mischief increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaintainabilityVSAvoidtheft prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover is nested within the windscreen structure, where the windscreen acts as an outer protective shell that contains the mounting portions and fastening mechanisms. This nesting arrangement allows the transparent cover to be accessible for maintenance while being physically protected by the windscreen, preventing unauthorized removal or theft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The windscreen serves as an intermediary structure between the transparent cover and the external environment. It provides a protective barrier that mediates access to the transparent cover, allowing legitimate maintenance through controlled access while preventing unauthorized removal or mischief.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the transparent cover is made fixed to prevent theft, then the theft prevention is improved, but the maintainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft preventionVSAvoidmaintainability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portions are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to transition between a secured state (preventing theft) and an accessible state (enabling maintenance). The fastening mechanisms can be engaged to prevent unauthorized removal while being easily disengaged by authorized users for maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the windscreen is positioned to overlap the mounting portion for theft prevention, then the theft prevention is improved, but the access for maintenance is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft preventionVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The windscreen is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to be positioned in different states. In normal operation, it overlaps the mounting portion to prevent theft. During maintenance, it can be moved or opened to provide access to the transparent cover, thus dynamically adjusting between security and accessibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of repair

If the transparent cover is made removable for cleaning, then the maintainability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaintainabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover assembly is segmented into modular components including the transparent cover itself, mounting portions, and fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily removed and reattached while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and organized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4403447B1Straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4403447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4403447B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A straddled vehicle (1) includes a vehicle body (2), a windscreen (16), a sensing device (24), and a transparent cover (25). The vehicle body (2) includes a front cover (15). The windscreen (16) is arranged above the front cover (15). The sensing device (24) is arranged behind the front cover (15). The sensing device (24) detects a situation in front of the vehicle body (2). The transparent cover (25) is arranged in front of the sensing device (24). The transparent cover (25) includes a first mounting portion (31, 32) detachably attached to the front cover (15). The windscreen (16) overlaps the first mounting portion (31, 32) from above and/or from the front of the first mounting portion (31, 32).