Straddle Vehicle Tank Cover Handle Lock Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straddle type vehicles face challenges in increasing the size of the tank cover while maintaining accessibility to the handle lock, as existing designs often position the lock operation part ahead of the handles, leading to poor accessibility due to the larger size of the tank cover.

Innovation Solution

The tank cover is configured with a center cover and side covers that extend forward and rearward to overlap the fuel tank, with the handle lock positioned behind the front fork, creating clearance and allowing the side covers to overlap the forkpipes at maximum angles, and featuring wind receiving members to prevent separation from the center cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the lock operation part is positioned ahead of the handles to allow the tank cover to extend forward, then the tank cover size increases, but the rider's accessibility to the handle lock deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank cover sizeVSAvoidaccessibility to handle lock

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the handle lock behind the front fork instead of ahead of the handles. This allows the tank cover to extend forward to increase size while the lock operation part remains easily accessible to the rider through the handles, resolving the contradiction between tank cover size and lock accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Area of stationary object

If the side covers are extended forward to increase tank cover size, then the appearance is enhanced, but the wind force may cause separation from the center cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank cover sizeVSAvoidconnection stability between covers

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing fastening means that pre-connect the side covers to the center cover before wind force acts on them. The fastening means include fastening holes and fastening members positioned at the front end of the center cover and side covers, creating preliminary mechanical connection that prevents wind-induced separation while allowing the extended side covers to enhance appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3620360B1Straddle type vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

The handle lock 4 is arranged behind the front fork 31. This makes it possible to ensure accessibility to the handle lock 4 for a rider.