Straddled Vehicle USB Terminal Anti-Theft Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straddled vehicles with USB ports installed in user-friendly locations face the risk of theft, as the USB terminal units can be easily removed.

Innovation Solution

The straddled vehicle incorporates a terminal unit, a support portion, an attachment member, and an equipment member, where the terminal unit is supported by the support portion and attached to the attachment member, and the equipment member is positioned to prevent the terminal unit from being pulled out, thereby inhibiting theft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the USB terminal unit is disposed in a user-friendly position (e.g., near the handle), then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidtheft risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal unit is nested within the attachment member, which itself is integrated into the support portion structure. This nested configuration allows the terminal unit to be accessible from the outside while maintaining physical protection through the surrounding structural elements, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and theft prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a spatial dimension by positioning the terminal unit at specific coordinates (first position in first direction, second position in second direction) relative to the support portion. This dimensional positioning allows the terminal to be accessible from one direction while the support structure provides protection from other directions, simultaneously achieving ease of operation and theft prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If anti-theft countermeasures are implemented (e.g., exposing terminal unit with key or disposing inside fastened member), then theft is inhibited, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft preventionVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal unit is designed to be automatically protected by the support portion structure itself without requiring external keys or fastening operations. The support portion's geometric configuration inherently prevents removal while allowing intentional access, making the system self-protecting and eliminating the need for user intervention to secure or access the terminal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the protection function from the access function by separating the terminal unit from the support portion while maintaining their functional integration. The terminal unit remains accessible for use but is physically segmented from direct removal paths, allowing users to access it intentionally while preventing unauthorized removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the terminal unit is made secure against theft, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment member is merged with the support portion structure, combining the protective function with the existing structural elements. This integration allows the terminal unit to be secured without adding separate complex locking mechanisms, as the support portion's geometry itself provides the securing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the terminal unit, defines the spatial positioning of the terminal, and simultaneously acts as the security mechanism preventing removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate security components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4538156A1Straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4538156A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4538156A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4538156A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a straddled vehicle (1) including a USB terminal unit (41), a first support portion (74), an attachment member (42) and a front cowling (22).; first support portion (74) being shaped along a first predetermined direction and supporting the USB terminal unit (41); attachment member (42) including a first insertion portion (62) that inserts the first support portion (74) thereto along the first predetermined direction; attachment member (42) being disposed in the surroundings of the USB terminal unit (41) and attaching USB terminal unit (41) to first support portion (74); front cowling (22) being disposed away from an end (54a) of the USB terminal unit (41) at a predetermined interval (L2) in a second predetermined direction oriented opposite to first predetermined direction; the predetermined interval (L2) being shorter than a length (L1) from a first predetermined directional end (62e) of the first insertion portion (62) to a second predetermined directional end (74e) of the first support portion (74).