Air deflector for a tilting vehicle

Abstract

Air guiding device (3) for cooling a braking device (7) of a tilting vehicle, wherein the air guiding device (3) comprises an air guiding duct (31) which is designed to provide an air flow (L) directed in the direction of the braking device (7), wherein a deflecting element (34) is arranged in the region of an air outlet opening (33) of the air guiding duct (31), which deflecting element is designed to at least partially deflect the air flow (L) emerging from the air guiding duct (31), characterized in that the deflecting element (34) has a fastening section for fastening the deflecting element (34) on the vehicle side to a wheel suspension (1) of the vehicle or to a fork foot (5) of the braking device (7) acting as a holding element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air guide device for cooling a brake device of a tilting vehicle, comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1, and to a correspondingly equipped tilting vehicle.

[0002] Such air ducts for cooling brake components are found, for example, in motorcycle racing and enable particularly effective cooling of the thermally stressed brake discs and calipers. The brake components assigned to the front wheel, in particular, are subject to especially high thermal loads in racing. Generally, high brake temperatures result in the brakes becoming "soft" or, in the case of overuse, can even lead to total brake failure.

[0003] To counteract this danger, known air guide devices feature an air duct whose air inlet opening is essentially oriented in the direction of travel, so that the airflow is introduced into the air duct during travel. Through appropriate geometric design, the airflow is redirected through the air duct onto the brake system, thus ensuring improved brake ventilation and cooling.

[0004] In known air guidance devices, the air flowing out of the air duct usually hits either the brake disc or the brake caliper of the brake device.

[0005] Air guidance devices of this type are known from DE 100 24 219 A1, EP 2 157 001 A1 and DE 10 2005 027 531 A1.

[0006] An air guidance device for a motorcycle that is not of the generic type is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 204 505 A1, which provides a wheel cover with an integrated air guidance element for directing airflow to the brake disc of a front wheel.

[0007] One object of the invention is to further develop an air guide device for a vehicle. In particular, it aims to provide improved cooling performance for the vehicle's braking system.

[0008] This problem is solved by means of an air guidance device with the features of claim 1 and by means of a vehicle according to claim 9. Further advantageous embodiments result from the respective dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, an air guide device for cooling a vehicle's braking system, particularly a tilting vehicle, is proposed, wherein the air guide device comprises an air duct designed to provide an airflow directed towards the braking system. Furthermore, a deflecting element is arranged in the area of ​​an air outlet opening of the air duct, designed to at least partially deflect the airflow exiting the air duct.

[0010] This means that the deflector element is located at the downstream, rear end of the air duct, i.e., in the area of ​​the air outlet. This element serves to redirect the airflow exiting the outlet, either completely or partially. By using the deflector element as an air guide, the exiting airflow can be influenced and its direction of flow can be adjusted even more precisely. This allows, for example, the airflow to be directed to specific areas of the brake system, thereby increasing the (local) cooling effect, at least at these points. A purely diffuse and uncontrolled airflow across the brake system, where a high cooling potential remains untapped, can thus be avoided or at least reduced.

[0011] The deflection element has a mounting section for attaching it to the vehicle's wheel suspension and / or to a fork leg of the brake system, which acts as a retaining element. In tilting vehicles, the wheel suspension can be formed, in particular, by a front fork or a rear swingarm. In the case of a front fork, a so-called fork leg can be used as a retaining element in these vehicles.

[0012] In this way, the deflector element can be reliably and easily attached to the vehicle in its installed state. A connection to the air duct is possible in principle, but not necessary thanks to this arrangement. Instead, the deflector element can first be attached to the vehicle in an easily accessible manner. The air duct is then attached. Preferably, the transition between the flow-guiding surfaces of the air duct and those of the deflector element is essentially continuous to avoid any negative influence on the flow.

[0013] A tilting vehicle is understood to be, in particular, motorcycles or motorcycle-like motor vehicles, such as motor scooters, especially two-, three- or four-wheeled motor scooters, scooters, tilting trikes, quads or the like.

[0014] Preferably, the deflecting element can be designed to redirect the airflow towards a gap between a brake disc and a brake caliper of the braking system. In this way, thanks to the appropriately designed deflecting element, it is possible to direct the airflow completely or at least partially towards the gap, thus causing a targeted flow into the gap. The airflow therefore does not strike the braking system, or at least not exclusively, in a random manner and flows past it laterally. Instead, the airflow can be directed specifically towards the gap, thereby directing it particularly onto the temperature-critical contact surfaces of the brake disc and the brake pad on the brake caliper. These surfaces are subjected to maximum heat stress during brake application due to the friction.Targeted cooling of these surfaces therefore offers a particularly effective cooling option before the heat is transferred to other component areas.

[0015] Furthermore, the deflecting element can have a projecting lip section at an end near the brake caliper, which is designed in such a way that it points towards the gap when the air guide device is installed.

[0016] The lip section can therefore be located at the end of the deflecting element, or form the end facing the brake caliper. Preferably, the lip section can be angled relative to the adjacent, other flow-guiding surfaces of the deflecting element to effect a further, additional deflection of the airflow. Thus, the lip section forms a downstream end of the deflecting element, allowing the airflow to be "captured" and selectively deflected in a desired direction. This particularly enables the deflected airflow to be introduced into the gap at the shallowest possible angle of entry with respect to a reference plane defined by the disc-shaped extent of the brake disc or the gap profile.

[0017] This makes it possible, for example, to redirect an airflow exiting the air outlet of the air duct at an angle α between 45° and 90° with respect to the reference plane and to direct it at a significantly shallower angle β between 0 and 40°, preferably between 0 and 30°, towards the gap.

[0018] For example, the lip section and the adjacent flow-guiding surfaces of the deflecting element can be designed in such a way that together they form an S-shaped contour that completely or partially deflects the airflow exiting the air outlet.

[0019] In any case, the lip section can be oriented in such a way that (when installed) it forms a flow cross-section that narrows towards the gap together with a surface of the brake caliper facing in the direction of travel. In this way, the airflow can not only be directed but also accelerated, further increasing the cooling effect.

[0020] For example, the deflection element can be arranged on the inside side of the air duct. In its installed state on the vehicle, it is located, for instance, between the vehicle wheel or brake disc and the air duct, which may be positioned laterally on the vehicle wheel. Furthermore, the air duct and the deflection element are preferably arranged (in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) in front of the brake caliper. This allows the deflection element to direct the air exiting the air duct at the defined angle β into the gap between the brake disc and the brake caliper or its brake pad.

[0021] Furthermore, the deflection element can have a mounting section for attaching it to the vehicle. This mounting section can preferably be designed for a friction-fit and / or positive-locking connection. This can, for example, include one or more snap-fit ​​and / or detent connections.

[0022] Furthermore, the deflection element and the air duct can preferably be designed as separate components. This allows for separate assembly as well as separate manufacturing. In this way, the two components can preferably be manufactured and assembled without undercuts.

[0023] Due to their separate design, the two components can be replaced independently with identical or differently sized components. This is particularly important in racing applications, allowing for the quick replacement of defective components or for targeted and easy modification of the airflow, thus enabling aerodynamic optimizations to adjust the cooling effect as needed.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least the deflection element can be manufactured as an additively manufactured component, for example, as a 3D-printed component. Naturally, the air duct can also be manufactured using this method. This allows for particularly simple manufacturing and, if necessary, makes it possible to replace the deflection element with a new or differently shaped one.

[0025] Preferably, the air duct can have an air inlet opening which, when the air duct is installed, is designed and oriented to allow the inflow of airflow. This enables a purely passive airflow. Of course, an active airflow using air conveying devices, such as one or more fans, can also be provided additionally or alternatively.

[0026] Furthermore, the air outlet opening can preferably be designed such that the airflow exiting the air outlet opening is directed towards the brake caliper and / or the brake disc, in particular towards a front surface of the brake caliper. This means that in this case, the airflow exiting the air duct is directed towards the braking device. However, it is only the interaction with the deflecting element that creates the targeted and localized airflow to the aforementioned areas in order to achieve the most efficient and effective cooling effect possible.

[0027] For example, the air duct can be made of plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic, or metallic material. Additionally or alternatively, the deflector element can also be made of plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic, or metallic material. It is possible to manufacture both components from the same material or to select different materials to provide the optimal material properties for each.

[0028] Furthermore, a vehicle, in particular a tilting vehicle, is provided with an air guide device for cooling a brake device, wherein the air guide device is designed according to this description.

[0029] Preferably, the braking device can be assigned to a front wheel or a rear wheel of the vehicle.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1: Parts of a motorcycle's front wheel suspension including a brake device and an air guide device, Fig. 2: the wheel suspension according to Fig. 1 without air duct, Fig. 3: An enlarged view of a deflection element made of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4: the braking device according to Fig. 1 in cutaway view.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a partially depicted front wheel suspension 1 with a front brake device 7 and an air guide device 3 of a tilting vehicle, such as a motorcycle, which is not shown in detail. The wheel suspension 1 comprises a telescopic tube 4 of a front fork, which supports the wheel axle 6, including the brake device 7, by means of a so-called fork leg 5. The brake device 7 essentially comprises a brake disc 71 and a brake caliper 72 that interacts with the brake disc 71. The brake caliper 72 is also connected to the lower end of the telescopic tube 4 via the fork leg 5.

[0032] Furthermore, the air guide device 3 provided for cooling the brake device 7 includes an air guide channel 31, which is designed to provide an airflow L directed towards the brake device 7.

[0033] For this purpose, the air duct 31 has an air inlet opening 32, which in the illustrated installed state of the air guide device 3 is designed to allow the entry of a driving airflow F and accordingly points in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0034] As will be shown in more detail below, a deflecting element 34 is arranged in the area of ​​an air outlet opening 33 of the air duct 31, which is designed to at least partially deflect the airflow L exiting the air duct 31.

[0035] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the deflecting element 34 and the air guide duct 31 are designed as separate components.

[0036] The air outlet opening 33 of the air guide channel 31 is designed such that the airflow L exiting the air outlet opening 33 is directed towards a (in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) front surface 72a of the brake caliper 72 and the brake disc 71.

[0037] For better and more targeted airflow, the deflecting element 34 is arranged on an inside side 31a of the air duct 31, i.e. (in the vehicle width direction) between the brake disc 71 of the brake device 7 and the air duct 31.

[0038] Fig. Figure 2 shows the front wheel suspension 1 after removal of the air guide duct 31, revealing the deflection element 34 behind it, which is in Fig. 3 in a detailed view Fig. 2 is shown enlarged. This is designed to deflect the airflow L towards a gap 8 between the brake disc 71 and the brake caliper 72 (or its brake pads 72b) of the brake device 7, as shown in Fig. 4 is shown.

[0039] It is also apparent that the deflecting element 34 has a projecting lip section 34a at an end near the brake caliper 72, which is designed in such a way that it points in the direction of the gap 8 in the illustrated installed state of the air guide device 3.

[0040] The lip section 34a is angled relative to the adjacent, other flow-conducting surfaces 34b of the deflecting element 34. This design makes it possible to direct the airflow L downstream directly onto, or at the shallowest possible angle β into, the gap 8 between the brake disc 71 and the brake caliper 72, where the angle β is to be understood as being relative to a reference plane defined by the disc-shaped extent of the brake disc or the gap profile.

[0041] Thus, it is possible to redirect an airflow L, which exits the air duct 31 at an exemplary angle α between 45 and 90° (with respect to the reference plane), and to direct it at a significantly shallower angle β between 0 and 40° (with respect to the reference plane), preferably between 0 and 30°, towards the gap 8.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the lip section 34a and the adjacent flow-guiding surfaces 34b of the deflecting element 34 are designed such that they together form an S-shaped contour which completely or at least partially deflects the airflow L exiting the air outlet opening 33. The resulting flow pattern is described in Fig. 4 is only schematically sketched by flow arrows.

[0043] In addition, the lip section 34a is oriented such that, together with the forward-facing surface 72a of the brake caliper 72, it forms a flow cross-section that narrows towards the gap 8. In this way, the airflow L can not only be directed but also accelerated, thereby further increasing the cooling effect.

[0044] Furthermore, the deflection element 34 has a mounting section for attaching the deflection element 34 to the vehicle. This is detachably connected to the fork foot 5, which acts as a retaining element for the brake device 7. The detachable connection can be made by means of one or more friction-fit and / or positive-locking connections, for example in the form of a latching or snap connection. According to Fig.2 The fastening section includes a screw connection 34c, which may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the other force-fit and / or form-fit connections.

[0045] Alternatively, and therefore not shown, the attachment can be made directly to the wheel suspension of the vehicle.

Claims

[1] Air guide device (3) for cooling a brake device (7) of a tilting vehicle, wherein the air guide device (3) comprises an air guide channel (31) which is designed to provide an airflow (L) directed towards the brake device (7), wherein a deflecting element (34) is arranged in the area of ​​an air outlet opening (33) of the air guide channel (31), which is designed to at least partially deflect the airflow (L) exiting the air guide channel (31). characterized by , that the deflection element (34) has a fastening section for attaching the deflection element (34) to a wheel suspension (1) of the vehicle or to a fork foot (5) of the brake device (7) acting as a retaining element. [2] Air guide device (3) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the deflecting element (34) is designed to deflect the airflow (L) towards a gap (8) between a brake disc (71) and a brake caliper (72) of the brake device (7). [3] Air guide device (3) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the deflecting element (34) has a projecting lip section (34a) at an end near the brake caliper (72), which is designed such that this (34a) points in the direction of the gap (8) when the air guide device (3) is installed. [4] Air guide device (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the deflection element (34) and the air guide duct (31) are designed as separate components. [5] Air guide device (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the deflecting element (34) is arranged on a vehicle-inside side of the air duct (31). [6] Air guide device (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the air duct (31) has an air inlet opening (32) which, in the installed state of the air duct device (3), is designed to allow the entry of a driving airflow (F). [7] Air guide device (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the air outlet opening (33) is designed such that the airflow (L) exiting the air outlet opening (33) is directed towards the brake caliper (72) and / or the brake disc (71), in particular towards a front surface (72a) of the brake caliper (72). [8] Air guide device (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the air duct (31) and / or the deflecting element (34) are each made of plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic or metallic material. [9] Tilting vehicle, with an air guide device (3) for cooling a brake device (7), characterized by , that the air guide device (3) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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