Under-seat Battery Layout for Compact Saddle Vehicle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional layout of a fuel tank and storage box in a forward-rearward relation under the seat of a saddle type vehicle limits the space for mounting large-sized electric components like batteries, making it difficult to dispose batteries under the seat while accommodating other components.
Innovation Solution
The battery is positioned below the rear portion of the fuel tank and forward of the storage box, supported on the upper surface of the cross frame connecting the left and right frames, with the regulator placed on the lower surface of the cross frame, allowing for compact layout and easy connection between the battery and regulator, and the air cleaner is placed inside the front cover to enhance leg space for easier mounting and dismounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel tank and storage box are laid out in a forward-rearward relation under the seat, then the layout is simple and other components can be accommodated, but it becomes difficult to dispose a battery under the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional forward-rearward linear layout to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by placing the battery in the vertical space between the fuel tank (above) and the cross frame (below). This dimensional change allows the battery to be accommodated without disrupting the forward-rearward arrangement of the fuel tank and storage box, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and layout complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery is disposed at the front portion inside the front cover, then battery space is provided, but it becomes difficult to dispose other component parts inside the front cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery from the front cover space and relocates it to the under-seat area between the fuel tank and cross frame. This extraction frees up the front cover volume for other component parts while still providing adequate space for the battery in its new location, thus resolving the contradiction between component layout flexibility and available volume.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery is compactly laid out under the seat, then space utilization is improved, but the regulator needs to be positioned close for connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery and regulator into a closely integrated assembly where the regulator is positioned immediately adjacent to the battery within the same under-seat space. This merging minimizes the connection distance between the two components while maintaining compact overall layout, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and connection distance.
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 enables compact battery and regulator placement under the seat, creates space for the air cleaner inside the front cover, improves ease of getting on and off the vehicle, and provides good maintainability and protection for the battery.
Implementation Method 1
the regulator which rectifies the current to be supplied to the battery is disposed on the lower surface of the cross frame
Data Source
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AI summary
To enable an electric component to be laid out compactly, in a saddle type vehicle wherein a fuel tank and a storage box are laid out in a forward-rearward relation under a seat. In an electric component layout structure for the saddle type vehicle including a riding seat 13, a fuel tank 80 located under the seat 13, a storage box 81 located under the seat 13 and rearward of the fuel tank 80, and a battery 82, the battery 82 is disposed below a rear portion of the fuel tank 80 and forward of the storage box 81. The battery 82 is supported on an upper surface of a cross frame 25 connecting a pair of left and right seat frames 18 to each other. A regulator 83 for rectifying a current to be supplied to the battery 82 is disposed on a lower surface of the cross frame 25.