Split Motorcycle Fuel Tank Layout for Component Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel tank arrangements for vehicles, particularly motorcycles, do not effectively utilize available installation space, limiting the accommodation of additional structural components.

Innovation Solution

Introducing a spacing between tank bodies to create free space for additional structural components, such as fuel vapor separation devices, control units, pumps, and compensating fluid reservoirs, while maintaining fluid and mechanical connections between the tanks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tank bodies are spaced apart to create free space for additional components, then space utilization is improved, but structural compactness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidstructural compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel tank system is divided into multiple separate tank bodies (first tank body and second tank body) that are spaced apart from each other. This segmentation creates free space between the tank bodies for accommodating additional structural components, thereby improving space utilization while maintaining functional integrity through connecting elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space between tank bodies by spacing them apart in specific directions. This dimensional arrangement creates可利用 free space that can accommodate additional components, transforming the spatial configuration from a compact single-unit design to a distributed multi-unit design that optimizes volume utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If tank bodies are spaced apart to accommodate additional components, then flexibility of arrangement is improved, but mechanical connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of arrangementVSAvoidmechanical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Connecting elements are introduced as intermediary components between the first tank body and the second tank body. These connecting elements provide mechanical connection and fluid connection while allowing the tank bodies to be spaced apart, thereby maintaining structural stability and reliability despite the increased spacing for flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If tank bodies are placed close together for compactness, then structural compactness is improved, but accommodation of additional components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidaccommodation of additional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fuel tank into multiple spaced-apart tank bodies, the design creates interstitial free space that can accommodate additional components. This segmentation strategy transforms the compact single-unit structure into a distributed configuration that provides both compactness at the component level and space for additional systems at the assembly level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230331332A1Fuel tank arrangement and vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.10.19 KTM AG

AI summary

A fuel tank arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, includes a first tank body, a second tank body, and a connecting element, via which there is a fluid connection and, optionally, a mechanical connection between the first tank body and the second tank body. The first tank body is spaced apart from the second tank body in such a way that there is a free space between the first tank body and the second tank body and, where applicable, the connecting element, in which at least one further structural component of the vehicle can be arranged.