Under-Seat Gas Sensor Layout for Small Vehicle Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In small vehicles powered by gas fuel, such as scooters, leaks can be difficult to detect and discharge due to the complex pattern of the seat base and reinforcement ribs, which obstruct the flow of gas fuel and hinder sensor detection.
Innovation Solution
The gas fuel sensor is positioned in a depression on the seat base, allowing leaked gas fuel to be guided to the sensor for reliable detection and discharge when the seat is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement ribs are arranged in a lattice pattern on the lower surface of the seat base, then structural strength is improved, but gas fuel flow is obstructed and sensor detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seat base lower surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: reinforcement ribs for structural strength, depressions for gas collection, and smooth flow paths for gas movement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and sensor detection accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
Depressions serve as intermediary structures that collect leaked gas fuel and guide it toward the sensor. These depressions act as mediators between the reinforcement ribs (which obstruct direct gas flow) and the sensor (which needs unobstructed access to detect gas), enabling detection while maintaining structural integrity
2Stability of the object's composition
If the seat base has a complicated pattern of recess-and-protrusion, then structural integrity is improved, but leak gas detection reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the seat base are given different local qualities: reinforcement ribs provide structural integrity in load-bearing areas, while depressions provide gas collection functionality in specific zones, and smooth areas provide unobstructed gas flow paths. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing structural integrity and detection reliability to coexist in different locations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gas fuel leaks in the under-seat region, then safety risk increases due to gas accumulation, but complex seat structure prevents effective discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The seat base design incorporates vertical depressions that create three-dimensional gas collection zones. When gas leaks, it accumulates in these vertical depressions rather than spreading horizontally across the entire under-seat region. This dimensional approach to gas management, combined with strategic discharge openings, enables effective gas removal while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between preventing gas accumulation and enabling gas discharge
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 ensures high reliability in detecting and discharging leaked gas fuel, improving safety and preventing gas fuel accumulation under the seat.
Implementation Method 1
a gas fuel concentration measuring sensor, which is designed to detect any leakage of the gas fuel
Implementation Method 2
the depression being formed by being surrounded at least by the seat base, if the gas fuel leaks and stays in the depression, the staying gas fuel can be led to the gas fuel sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle such as a motorcycle includes a seat (25), a body cowl covering an under-seat region, a fuel tank (42) disposed in the under-seat region to store a gas fuel lower in specific gravity than air, a gaseous fuel reactor (41) disposed in the under-seat region, and a gas fuel sensor (52). The seat includes an under-seat curved bent portion surrounded at least by a seat base (55) so as to provide a larger space in the under-seat region, and if an uppermost point of a defining portion (63) is designated as a point T, the defining portion (63) protruding downward along a vehicle body from the seat base (55) to define a substantially dome-shaped depression (62) in a part of the under-seat curved bent portion, the gas fuel sensor (52) is located in the depression (62) and at least a part of the sensor (52) is arranged above a horizontal line passing through the point T.