Windbreak Screen Fixing Structure for Rigidity and Easy Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a trade-off between the rigidity of the screen and the ease of replacement in existing fixing structures of a windbreak screen for saddle-ridden vehicles, where increasing the number of fixing members enhances rigidity but complicates replacement, and reducing them compromises rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A fixing structure that sandwiches the screen between a support portion of the meter panel and a pressing portion of the front cowl, combined with fixing members, minimizes the number of fixing members while maintaining rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the number of fixing members is increased to enhance screen rigidity, then the screen rigidity is improved, but the replacement work becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen rigidityVSAvoidreplacement work complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into multiple sections with different fixing densities. The lower portion uses more fixing members to prevent vibration in the area most affected by wind, while the upper portion uses fewer fixing members to facilitate easier replacement. This segmentation allows the screen to achieve sufficient rigidity without requiring excessive fixing members throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the screen are provided with different numbers of fixing members based on their specific functional requirements. The lower portion, which experiences greater wind pressure and vibration, is equipped with more fixing members for enhanced rigidity, while the upper portion uses fewer fixing members to simplify replacement operations. This local differentiation optimizes both rigidity and replaceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the number of fixing members is reduced to simplify replacement work, then the replacement workability is improved, but the screen rigidity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement workabilityVSAvoidscreen rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The screen structure is segmented into zones with different fixing densities. Critical areas prone to vibration (lower portion) maintain adequate fixing member density to ensure rigidity, while non-critical areas (upper portion) use fewer fixing members to enable easier replacement. This segmented approach ensures sufficient overall rigidity with reduced total fixing member count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member distribution is optimized locally rather than uniformly. Areas experiencing higher wind loads and vibration are provided with more fixing members to maintain rigidity, while areas less susceptible to these forces use fewer fixing members to facilitate simpler replacement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3964433B1Fixing structure of a windbreak screen of a saddle-ridden vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP3964433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964433B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964433B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fixing structure of a windbreak screen (33) of a saddle-ridden vehicle (1) includes a front cowl (31) configured to cover a vehicle front portion, a meter panel (47) disposed at a rear side of the front cowl, and the screen (33) installed between the front cowl and the meter panel. An attachment piece (53) is formed along a front edge of the screen. A first support portion (82) configured to support the attachment piece from a back side is formed on the meter panel. A pressing portion (63, 71) configured to press the attachment piece from a front side is formed on the front cowl.