Straddle-Type Vehicle Front Structure Terminal Device Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of straddle-type vehicles requires a large space for installing terminal devices on the inner side of the front cowl, which restricts the vehicle's design and impairs its aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device is configured with a connection terminal and a controller that are mounted separately and spaced apart within the front cowl, allowing for installation in a narrow space and improving the layout flexibility, thereby reducing design restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the terminal device is installed as a vertically long unit case on the inner side of the front cowl, then the terminal device can be accommodated, but a large space is required in the depth direction of the front cowl which impairs vehicle design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device installationVSAvoidvehicle design freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device is divided into two separate components: the connection terminal and the controller. The connection terminal is mounted on the inner side of the front cowl in a narrow space, while the controller is mounted separately. This segmentation allows the terminal device to be installed without requiring a large vertically long space, thereby resolving the contradiction between installation feasibility and design freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the connection terminal and controller are integrated in a single unit case, then the terminal device structure is simplified, but a large space is required which restricts layout flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device structureVSAvoidlayout flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated unit case is segmented into separate mounting locations for the connection terminal and controller. The connection terminal is mounted on the inner side of the front cowl while the controller is mounted separately, allowing flexible layout arrangement within the front cowl area. This resolves the contradiction by enabling independent positioning of each component to optimize space utilization and design freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of arranging components vertically in a single deep space, the solution distributes components across different locations within the front cowl's available space, utilizing horizontal and depth dimensions more efficiently. This dimensional redistribution allows both components to be accommodated in a compact arrangement that maintains layout flexibility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4488154A1Vehicle front structure
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4488154A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488154A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488154A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle front structure for a straddle-type vehicle (1) is provided. The straddle-type vehicle (1) includes a headlight (20) installed in a vehicle (1) front. The vehicle (1) front structure includes: a front cowl (30) configured to cover a periphery of the headlight (20); and a terminal device (80) installed inside the front cowl (30). The terminal device (80) includes a connection terminal (81) configured to allow insertion or removal of a terminal of an external device, and a controller (82) configured to control communication with the external device. The connection terminal (81) and the controller (82) are mounted inside the front cowl (30) so as to be spaced apart from each other.