STAND-ON VEHICLE WITH REAR WINGS

Description

Mannucci srl Office Piaggio & CSpA in Pontedera (PI) STAND-ON VEHICLE WITH REAR WINGS DESCRIPTION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

[001] This invention relates to the field of straddle vehicles, in particular motorcycles and, more particularly, racing motorcycles equipped with winglet systems to optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics. STATE OF THE ART

[002] The state of the art includes various known solutions for optimising the aerodynamics of motorcycles.

[003] An example of this is provided by patent document WO2023238025A1, which describes a motorcycle fairing shaped to improve the downforce of the motorcycle during acceleration cornering, that is, when the vehicle is rolling on one side. This solution, however, requires that the driver reaches a very high roll angle that not all normal motorcyclists are capable of reach.

[004] Another known solution to optimize the downforce of the rear end of a motorcycle is known from patent document WO2023228143A1. This solution includes a rear wing positioned on the top of the motorcycle's tail fairing. This wing allows for increased downforce of the motorcycle on the rear axle and therefore increase its stability, especially at high speeds. This solution, however, optimizes downforce on straight lines and, conversely, decreases grip when cornering, that is, when the motorcycle is rolling to one side. The air that touches the wing rear in fact creates a normal component to the ground which increases the grip of the motorcycle, but also a centrifugal horizontal component that tends to make the motorcycle lose stability. This component increases as the roll angle increases.

[005] There is also a solution known from patent document WO2022229726A1 for close the rider-motorcycle group's slipstream in an optimized manner using a boot shaped in a particular way. This solution is not, however, a solution for the motorcycle, but rather for the motorcyclist. 1 Mannucci srl Office SUMMARY

[006] These and other drawbacks of the prior art are now solved by a first aim of the present invention. invention relating to a straddle-mounted vehicle comprising: a frame; a swingarm oscillatingly supported by the frame and supporting a rear wheel axle; a pair of footrests coupled to the frame; a pair of wings coupled to the frame and having a development substantially vertical. In which, observing the vehicle from the side, each wing is arranged behind the footrest and in front of the rear wheel axle. This arrangement and shape of the wings rear allows you to obtain the double effect of better closing the slipstream that is created behind the driver and to the motorcycle, thus improving its aerodynamics, and providing a downforce effect, when the vehicle is leaning into a curve, thus improving its grip when cornering.

[007] In particular, the wings can be spaced outwards in a right-left direction compared to a body supported by the frame. In this way, a gap is formed between the body and the wings air passage channel which is mainly used when the vehicle is rolled and the The pilot widens his leg towards the center of the curve. Furthermore, the wings, being spaced outwards, compared to the body, they intercept the flow of air coming out of the lower part of the driver's leg, minimizing turbulence and therefore increasing the overall aerodynamics of the group manned vehicle.

[008] Advantageously, each wing may have an airfoil shape having an edge rounded leading edge and a sharp trailing edge. This wing shape allows for a better air penetration by the wing and less detachment of the fluid vein that laps the outer and inner sides of the wing.

[009] Each wing can be coupled to the frame by means of a support. The wing is therefore overhang, thanks to the support, with respect to the body. Preferably the support can be connected to a passenger footrest bracket. This way you can mount the pair of wings as accessory on any street motorcycle that includes footrests for the passenger. In practice, when there is no need to accommodate a passenger, for example during a track ride, the passenger footrests can be removed to accommodate in their respective brackets, respective wings in agreement to the present invention. 2 Mannucci srl Office

[0010] When looking at the vehicle from the front or rear, the wings may converge towards a centerline of the vehicle in a top-down direction. In practice, the wings are arranged V-shaped when looking at the vehicle in an upright position from behind and / or in front.

[0011] When looking at the vehicle from above, the wings can converge towards a centerline of the vehicle in a direction from front to back. In practice, the wings are arranged in a V shape when viewed from above. vehicle in upright position.

[0012] Preferably, each wing may be tilted so that its upper edge is at least partly more advanced than its lower edge. This conformation of the wing allows for follow the rider's leg placement, when his feet rest on the rider's footrests,

[0013] In particular, the wings may be arranged so as to lie at least partly behind the the driver's ankles when the driver sits on the vehicle with his feet placed on the footrests. This specific arrangement of the wings allows to generate a downforce when the pilot widens the inside leg to face the curve.

[0014] Preferably, each wing may have a curved shape. This conformation is in specially optimized according to the flow lines, to avoid detachments of the fluid vein and optimize the effects of the wings.

[0015] Each wing can be arranged lower than a saddle of the vehicle. This The arrangement of the wings allows for the optimal closing of the air trail that is created when the driver-vehicle group moves forward at high speed in a straight line.

[0016] A second object of the present invention relates to a wing for a vehicle to be mounted on astride having a rounded shape and wing profile with a rounded leading edge and a swept edge sharp exit, including a support that can be coupled to the frame. The wing thus designed can be supplied as a vehicle accessory, to be mounted on the vehicle when necessary. Preferably the wing support can be coupled to a bracket on the vehicle's passenger footrest. In this way, any vehicle equipped with footrests for the passenger can adopt a wing in accordance to the present invention.

[0017] These and other advantages will be explained in more detail in the description given here. below, an example of implementation given for indicative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings: 3 Mannucci srl Office ‐ Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle according to the present invention with a driver positioned astride the vehicle; ‐ Fig. 2 illustrates the vehicle including the pilot of Fig. 1 seen from above; ‐ Fig. 3 illustrates the vehicle including the driver of Fig. 1 seen from the rear; ‐ Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed axonometric view placing emphasis on a left rear wing of the vehicle of Fig. 1. ‐ Fig. 5 illustrates an axonometric view of the vehicle according to the present invention with a pilot positioned astride the vehicle, when the vehicle is rolled onto its side to negotiate a curve and the driver widens his leg towards the inside of the curve; ‐ Fig. 6 shows a front view of the vehicle including the driver of Fig. 5. ‐ Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the flow lines and their relative velocities of a vehicle with a rolled driver, such as that in Fig. 5, sectioned with a transverse plane inclined at approximately 55 degrees, which develops according to the front-rear and right-left directions of the vehicle, and which passes through the wings, as illustrated in the top left box; ‐ Fig. 8 illustrates a rear view of a vehicle according to the present invention; ‐ Fig. 9 shows a front view of the vehicle in Fig. 8; ‐ Fig. 10 shows a side view of the vehicle in Fig. 8; ‐ Fig. 11 shows a top view of the vehicle in Fig. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description of one or more embodiments of the invention refers to the drawings. attachments. The same numerical references in the drawings identify the same or similar elements. The object of the invention is defined by the attached claims. The technical details, structures or The features of the solutions described below can be combined with each other in any way manner.

[0020] The figures show the front-back F-B, right-left L-R, and top-bottom directions. T‐D.

[0021] In the figures, the reference number 1 shows a straddle-mounted vehicle which Hereinafter, for convenience, it will be abbreviated to the term “vehicle”.

[0022] In Figs. 1-3 a vehicle 1 with its driver 100 is illustrated. Since vehicle 1 is a motorcycle, and in particular a road or racing motorcycle, the handlebars 13, the saddle 12 and the footrests 7 4 Mannucci srl Office are arranged so that, when the pilot 100 is on board the vehicle 1, he assumes a position almost fetal, i.e. squatting, as illustrated in Fig. 1-3.

[0023] In Figs. 1-3, the driver assembly 100 and vehicle 1 are shown in an upright position, i.e. vertical, and with the driver resting his feet 130 on the footrests 7, meaning that the vehicle 1 is travelling along a straight line.

[0024] In contrast, in Fig. 5-6 the driver assembly 100 and vehicle 1 are shown tilted to one side. In particular, in Fig. 5-6 the vehicle 1 is rolled to take a curve and the driver 100 moves his body and the 120 leg curves inwards to facilitate cornering and increase grip vehicle 1 with respect to the ground.

[0025] In Figs. 8-11, the vehicle 100 is shown alone, i.e. without the driver 100.

[0026] In Fig.1-11 the vehicle 100 is a motorcycle, therefore in the following the term “vehicle” or “motorcycle” may be used in an alternative manner.

[0027] Motorcycle 1, having two wheels 4.5 arranged in line, to tackle a curve must to roll, that is, to lean to one side, to counteract the centrifugal force.

[0028] As best illustrated in Fig. 8-11, motorcycle 100 is a street motorcycle and therefore comprises a body 9 which extends from the front towards the rear of the vehicle 100. In the specifically the body 9 comprises a front portion 9' which is shaped to cover sideways part of the engine 14 and split the air that vehicle 1 meets at the front the advancement. The body 9 also includes a 9'' rear portion which is shaped to cover the rear portion of the frame 2 and lies under the saddle 12 of the vehicle 1. The front portion 9' of the body 9 also includes a portion of the fairing 9''' which includes, in front view, the handlebar 13.

[0029] The body 9, as a whole, partially or completely covers the frame 2 and the engine 14.

[0030] The rear wheel 5 is connected to the frame 2 via a swingarm 3 which supports the axle 6 of the rear wheel 5. The front wheel 4 is connected to the frame 2 via a steering that ends above with the handlebar 13.

[0031] As vehicle 1 moves forward, vehicle 1 cuts through the air which then flows and touches the body 9 and pilot 100. The optimization of the flow lines that pass vehicle 1 and pilot 100, allow you to optimize the aerodynamics of the vehicle 1.

[0032] In particular, in the rear area of ​​vehicle 1 the flow lines tend to create some turbulence mainly due to the presence of the pilot 100. Therefore the need arises for 5 Mannucci srl Office direct and guide these flow lines in order to avoid these turbulences and close the so-called slipstream that is created behind driver 100 and vehicle 1.

[0033] Vehicle 1 is therefore equipped with two wings 8, each arranged on one side of vehicle 1.

[0034] These wings 8 are coupled and connected to the frame 2 and are therefore subject to the movements of chassis pitch and roll 2.

[0035] The wings 8 are not wings that extend to the width of the vehicle 1, such as it happens in an airplane, but rather they are 8 wings that have a substantially vertical development.

[0036] The wings 8 comprise a leading edge 8A and a trailing edge 8B, connected to each other by means of an external surface 8E and an internal surface 8F of the wing 8. The wing 8 further comprises an 8C top edge and an 8D bottom edge.

[0037] The wings 8 are inclined forward and therefore, observing the vehicle 1 from the side as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 10, the upper edge 8C is more advanced than the lower edge 8D. This particular arrangement is used to follow the position that the leg 120 of the pilot 100 assumes when his feet 130 rest on the footrests 7.

[0038] Wing 8, seen from the side as shown in Fig. 1 and 10, has a trapezoidal shape, but other shapes are possible.

[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 2, 8, 9, 11, the wing 8 is also shaped like an airfoil, therefore the leading edge 8A is rounded, while the trailing edge 8B is sharp, like example in airplane wings.

[0040] The external surface 8E of the wing 8, also called extrados, has a greater convexity than the concavity of the internal surface 8F, also called intrados, as illustrated in Fig. 4. In an alternative not illustrated both surfaces 8E, 8F are convex.

[0041] The wing 8 may also have a curved shape, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The apex of the trailing edge 8B can therefore be more external or internal than the base of the trailing edge 8B. At the same time way, the apex of the leading edge 8A can be more external or internal than the base of the edge 8B attack. This conformation allows to optimize the flow lines at different heights from the ground, when motorcycle 1 is upright or rolled.

[0042] The wings 8 are arranged in the rear of the vehicle 1, i.e. in its rear part. In the specifically, the wings 8 are arranged behind the pilot 100, when he is sitting on the saddle 12 and rests his feet 130 on the footrest 7. The wings 8 are arranged behind the areas that the ankles 110 take when the pilot has feet 130 on footrests 7. 6 Mannucci srl Office

[0043] In particular, each wing 8, in side view of the vehicle 1, is arranged behind the footrests 7 and in front of the axle 6 of the rear wheel 5, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 10.

[0044] Each wing 8, in side view of the vehicle 1, is also arranged above the footrest 7 and below the saddle 12.

[0045] The wings 8 are mounted cantilevered on the vehicle 1 and remain spaced from the body 9, as illustrated in Fig. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11.

[0046] Each wing 8 is connected to the frame 2 via a support 10, best illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0047] The support 10 protrudes from the inner surface 8F of the wing 8 and connects to the bracket 11. The bracket 11 may be, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the bracket 11 that supports the passenger footrest.

[0048] In practice, bracket 11 normally supports the passenger footrest (not illustrated) and, by removing it from the bracket 11, it is possible to connect the support 10 of the wing 8 in the same way. The wing 8 is then constrained by a pin 15 to the bracket 11, to prevent it from rotating around the pivot. 16, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0049] Thanks to the shape of the support 10 and the bracket 11, the wing 8 remains spaced from the rear portion 9'' of the body 9 and between the body 9 and the internal surface 8F of the wing 8 a ideal channel through which air can flow, indicated by the reference “A1”.

[0050] This ideal channel is at least partially closed by the leg 120 of the driver 100, when this one is sitting on the saddle 12 and the motorcycle 1 is moving forward in a straight line, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. In this operating condition of vehicle 1, the flow lines of a first air flow FL' flow mainly on the external surface 8E of the wings 8. The conformation of the wings 8, in this condition, tends to close the wake and direct the flow lines of the first air flow FL' towards the centerline M, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0051] To achieve this effect, the wings 8, observing the vehicle 1 from above as illustrated in Fig. 2, are shaped and arranged to converge towards the centre plane M of vehicle 1 according to a right-left transverse direction R-L. In particular, the external surface 8E of the wings is shaped so as to curve towards the centre plane M proceeding from the front towards the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0052] The wings 8 are also arranged and shaped to converge towards the centre plane M also in the up-down direction T-D, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In practice, the wings 8 are arranged in a “V” shape looking at vehicle 1 from the rear or front, as illustrated in Fig. 3, 8 and 9.

[0053] Thanks to this arrangement and conformation of the wings 8, when the vehicle 1 is inclined on a side (rolled) to face a curve and the driver 100 opens the leg 120 inside the curve, as illustrated in Fig. 5 and 6, a gap is created between the body 9 and the inside of the leg 120 of the pilot 100 within 7 Mannucci srl Office which a second air flow FL'' can pass as illustrated in Fig. 6. The second air flow FL'' which passes between the leg 120 of the pilot 100 and the body 9, thus reaching the wing 8 and touching both the internal surface 8F and external surface 8E of wing 8, as schematized in Fig. 6.

[0054] As best illustrated in Fig. 7, the streamlines of the second air flow FL'' increase by speed in zone A2 (illustrated in darker shades) which is located outside of wing 8, i.e. from side of the outer surface 8E, while slowing down in the A1 zone (illustrated in lighter shades) which is located inside the wing 8, that is in the area between the body 9 and the wing 8. In this way, it is created a higher pressure on the inner side of the wing 8 which generates a force F normal to the surface external 8E. The force F can be broken down into its two components Fn vertical to the ground and Fr horizontal to the ground, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The Fn component tends to increase the grip of vehicle 1 as it travels around the curve, attracting it towards the ground. The Fn component also generates a torque that partially counteracts the torque generated by the centrifugal force which tends to straighten the motorcycle 1. The Fr component tends to counteract the centrifugal force to which it is normally subjected subject vehicle 1 when it rolls around a curve, thus improving its road holding. The Fr component also generates a torque that partially counteracts the torque that tends to straighten motorcycle 1 generated by centrifugal force.

[0055] This effect gradually decreases as the pilot 100 tends to tighten the leg 120 on the body 9 and the vehicle returns to the upright position, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this position of leg 120 of pilot 100, the gap created between leg 120 and body 9 closes and the air licks the leg 120 and then the outer surface 8E of the wing 8, as illustrated with the first flow of air FL' of Fig.2.

[0056] The wing 8 according to the present invention can also be a settable object that can be marketed independently of vehicle 1, for example as an accessory.

[0057] The wing 8, better illustrated in Fig. 4, is therefore shaped with an airfoil profile having an edge 8A rounded leading edge and 8B sharp trailing edge and has a curved shape. The wing 8 so designed also features a support 10 which allows it to be connected to the vehicle 1. In In particular, as described above, the support 10 can be connected to a bracket 11 of the vehicle passenger footrest 1.

[0058] In conclusion, it is clear that the invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications. or variants, all falling within the scope of the invention; furthermore all the details are replaceable by elements Technically equivalent. In practice, the quantities can be varied according to needs. techniques. 8 Mannucci srl Office

[0059] Legend of numerical references: 1 straddle vehicle 2 frame 3 fork 4 front wheel 5 rear wheel 6 axle (of the rear wheel) 7 footrests 8 wing 8A leading edge (of the wing) 8B trailing edge (of the wing) 8C upper edge (of the wing) 8D lower edge (of the wing) 8E external surface (of the wing) 8F inner surface (of the wing) 9 shell 9' front portion of the body 9'' rear portion of the body 9'' portion of the body fairing 10 support 11 passenger footrest bracket 12 saddle 13 handlebars 14 engine 15 pin 16 pivot 100 pilot 110 ankle (of the pilot) 120 leg (of the pilot) 130 foot (of the pilot) M centerline (of the vehicle) F force Fn vertical component of force Fr horizontal component of force FL' first air flow FL'' second air flow A1 inner wing area A2 zona esterna all'ala 9

Claims

1. A straddle vehicle (1) comprising: - a frame (2); - a swingarm (3) supported in an oscillating manner by the frame (2) and supporting an axle (6) of a rear wheel (5); - a pair of footrests (7) coupled to the frame (2); - a pair of wings (8) coupled to the frame (2) having a substantially vertical development; each wing (8) being arranged behind the footrests (7) and in front of the axle (6) of the rear wheel (5).

2. A straddle-type vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wings (8) are spaced outward in a right-left (RL) direction relative to a body (9) supported by the frame (2).

3. A straddle vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each wing (8) has an airfoil shape having a rounded leading edge (8A) and a sharp trailing edge (8B).

4. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each wing (8) is coupled to the frame (2) via a support (10), preferably the support (10) is connected to a passenger footrest bracket (11).

5. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wings (8) converge towards a centre plane (M) of the vehicle (1) in a top-down direction (TD). Ufficio Mannucci srl 6. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wings (8) converge towards a centre plane (M) of the vehicle (1) in a front to rear (FB) direction.

7. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each wing (8) is inclined so that its upper edge (8C) is at least partly more advanced than its lower edge (8D).

8. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the wings (8) are arranged so as to lie at least partly behind the ankles (110) of the rider (100), when the rider (100) sits on the vehicle (1) with his feet arranged on the footrests (7).

9. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each wing (8) has a curved shape.

10. A straddle vehicle (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each wing (8) is arranged below a saddle (12) of the vehicle (1).

11. Wing (8) for a straddle vehicle (1) having a curved shape and airfoil profile with a rounded leading edge (8A) and a sharp trailing edge (8B), comprising a support (10) coupling to the frame (2), preferably coupling to a bracket (11) of the passenger footrest of the vehicle (1).