Wind-Driven Notification Device for Electric Motorcycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle approach notification devices for electric-powered vehicles, particularly two-wheeled vehicles, face challenges in being compact, efficient, and power-efficient while providing effective sound notification to pedestrians and maintaining audibility for the rider, due to space constraints and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle approach notification device that utilizes airflow through a ventilation passage in the vehicle body cover to generate sound, eliminating the need for separate air collection tubes and incorporating sound emission devices like Helmholtz resonators or harmonicas, which emit sounds within a frequency range similar to internal combustion engines, to enhance notification effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large-diameter air collection pipe is used to collect a large amount of wind for sound generation, then sound emission efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to mount on a small vehicle such as a motorcycle due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the air collection function with the vehicle body cover by forming air openings and ventilation passages directly in the cover structure. This eliminates the need for separate large-diameter air collection pipes while utilizing the existing vehicle body structure for wind collection and sound generation
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle body cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the vehicle body covering and the air collection device for sound generation. The ventilation passages in the cover serve dual purposes of cooling components and providing airflow for the sound emission device
2Productivity
If electric power is consumed for sound generation using an amplifier and sound emission control means, then sound emission capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound emission device operates autonomously using the kinetic energy of passing wind. The airflow through the ventilation passages directly drives the sound emission mechanism without requiring external electric power, amplifiers, or electronic control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electrical sound generation system (amplifier, speaker, control electronics) with a mechanical sound emission device that converts kinetic energy of wind directly into sound waves through the ventilation passages
3Volume of moving object
If a speaker is attached to a two-wheeled electric vehicle with limited surplus space, then space utilization is improved, but the notification effect is reduced due to inability to use large speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the air collection structure and sound emission device into a single integrated system within the vehicle body cover, eliminating the need for separate speaker mounting and allowing effective use of available space
Solution Approach 2:
The sound emission device utilizes mechanical vibration of air columns through the ventilation passages to generate notification sounds, replacing electrical speakers with a acoustic resonance-based system that is more space-efficient
4Volume of moving object
If the speaker is positioned close to the rider to save space, then space constraints are satisfied, but audibility to the rider increases which reduces notification effectiveness to pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation passages are designed with asymmetric airflow patterns and directional sound emission characteristics. The air openings and passage configurations create sound propagation directions that favor outward emission toward pedestrians while minimizing sound directed toward the rider's position
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 solution achieves a compact and cost-effective notification system that reduces power consumption, maintains vehicle shape integrity, and effectively alerts pedestrians while minimizing audibility for the rider through efficient sound propagation using existing cooling winds.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation passage (42, 85) that is formed in the vehicle body cover (32) for passing air taken in from the air opening (41, 84) therethrough
Implementation Method 2
incorporating sound emission devices like Helmholtz resonators or harmonicas, which emit sounds within a frequency range similar to internal combustion engines
Implementation Method 3
a sound emission device (36, 36') that is arranged in the ventilation passage (42, 85) and emits sound by means of an airflow that passes through the ventilation passage (42, 85)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle approach notification device of a saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of a vehicle. The saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle includes a front cover that covers the periphery of a head pipe of a vehicle body frame. The sound emission device is located inside the front cover, the front cover has an air opening for taking in air from an outside, and a ventilation passage that is a passage of the air from the air opening and is used for cooling at least one of a power engine of the saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle and electric components, and the sound emission device is arranged in the ventilation passage.