Hybrid straddle seat vehicle
The innovative radiator arrangement in hybrid straddle-seat vehicles optimizes space usage and cooling efficiency by overlapping and strategically placing radiators, addressing space constraints and cooling performance issues.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-12
AI Technical Summary
The large size of combustion engine and engine radiators in hybrid straddle-seat vehicles reduces the degree of freedom for arranging other parts and compromises cooling performance due to space constraints.
A hybrid straddle-seat vehicle design where a second radiator overlaps and is arranged in front of a first radiator, with specific orientations and placements to reduce overall space occupation while maintaining cooling efficiency, utilizing independent coolant pumps and airflow management to enhance cooling performance.
Achieves a reduction in occupied space and improves cooling efficiency by optimizing radiator placement and airflow utilization, ensuring effective cooling of both the internal combustion engine and electric motor components.
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Abstract
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hybrid straddle-seat vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. 2. Description of the state of the art
[0002] International publication WO 2020 / 213590 A1 discloses a series hybrid straddle-seat vehicle comprising: an internal combustion engine radiator cooling an electric power generation motor; and an engine radiator cooling a motor unit. Further prior art is known from EP 3950484 A1, JP 2020-32958 A and JP 3159814 U.
[0003] However, since the space occupied by the combustion engine radiator and the engine radiator is large, the degree of freedom for arranging the other parts in the straddle-seat vehicle, whose overall size is limited, is reduced. If the sizes of the radiators are reduced to decrease the space they occupy, the cooling performance deteriorates. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to achieve both the reduction of the space occupied and the improvement of cooling efficiency in a hybrid straddle-seat vehicle.
[0005] A hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: an internal combustion engine; an electric motor generating power to be transmitted to a drive wheel; an inverter controlling electrical power to be supplied to the electric motor; a first radiator cooling the internal combustion engine; and a second radiator cooling at least one cooling target selected from the group consisting of the electric motor and the inverter, wherein at least a portion of the second radiator overlaps the first radiator when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the second radiator being arranged in front of the first radiator, the second radiator being arranged on one side of a left-right directional center of the first radiator in a left-right direction;and wherein, viewed from the front of the vehicle, the first radiator has a section arranged on one side in the left-right direction in which the second radiator overlaps, and a section arranged on the other side in the left-right direction in which the second radiator is free..; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of a hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view when a drive, a first cooler and a second cooler are in Fig. Figure 1 shows the views from the right front of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view, showing the first cooler and the second cooler, which are in Fig. Figures 2 are shown, viewed from the top of the vehicle. Fig. 4 is a front view, showing the first cooler and the second cooler, which are in Fig. Figure 1 shows the view from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a cooling channel of the in Fig. 2 shown second cooler. Fig. Figure 6 is a left side view of the drive, the first cooler, the second cooler and their surroundings, which are shown in Fig. 1 are shown. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the drive, the first cooler, and the second cooler, which are in Fig. Figure 6 is shown, viewed from the right rear of the vehicle. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS
[0006] One embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings. Directions given in the following description are based on directions from the perspective of a driver operating a vehicle. More precisely, a direction of travel of the vehicle is a front direction, and a direction opposite to the direction of travel is a rear direction. A vehicle width direction is a left-right direction.
[0007] Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of a hybrid straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the embodiment. As in Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of the hybrid straddle-seat vehicle 1 as a motorcycle. However, the hybrid vehicle 1 can be any vehicle (e.g., a three-wheeled vehicle) as long as it is a vehicle driven by a rider in a straddle-seat position. The vehicle 1 is a parallel hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 1 comprises a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, and a body frame 4. The front wheel 2 is connected to a front portion of the body frame 4 via a pair of left and right front forks 5. The front wheel 2 is covered from above by a front wheel cover 6. The rear wheel 3 is connected to the body frame 4 via a pivot arm 7.
[0008] The body frame 4 comprises: a head tube 4a in which a steering shaft 8 is rotatably mounted; and a main frame 4b extending from the head tube 4a in the rearward direction. The front forks 5 are connected to the steering shaft 8 via a bracket. A handlebar 9, gripped by the driver's hands, is connected to the steering shaft 8. A fuel tank 10 is located behind the handlebar 9. A seat 11, on which the driver sits, is located behind the fuel tank 10. A drive unit 12 is located on the body frame 4 and between the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3. The drive unit 12 is a power source that drives a drive wheel.
[0009] The drive 12 comprises an internal combustion engine 13 and an electric motor unit 14. The internal combustion engine 13 and the electric motor unit 14 serve as a drive unit that generates power to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3. The internal combustion engine 13 is a two-cylinder engine, but the number of cylinders can also be other than two. The internal combustion engine 13 comprises a cylinder 25, a crankcase 26, and a crankshaft 27. A piston is housed in the cylinder 25. The cylinder 25, together with the piston, forms a combustion chamber. The crankshaft 27 is connected to the piston. The cylinder 25 includes an inlet port 25a (see Fig. 7) and an outlet opening 25b (see Fig. 6) The crankcase 26 is located below the cylinder 25 and accommodates the crankshaft 27.
[0010] In addition to the crankshaft 27, a gearbox 15 is housed in the crankcase 26. The gearbox 15 is located behind the crankshaft 27. An end section of the crankshaft 27 is connected to the gearbox 15 to transmit power to it. An output shaft of the gearbox 15 is connected to the rear wheel 3 via a power transmission structure 16, such as a chain or belt. Drive power supplied by the internal combustion engine 13 is transmitted to the rear wheel 3 via the gearbox 15 and the power transmission structure 16. A side stand 28 is rotatably mounted on the body frame 4. The side stand 28 can rotate and touch the ground, projecting from the body frame 4 towards the lower left side. When the vehicle 1 is parked using the side stand 28, the vehicle 1 is tilted to the left.
[0011] The crankcase 26 extends beyond the cylinder 25 in the rear direction. The electric motor unit 14 is located behind the cylinder 25 and on an upper surface of the crankcase 26. The electric motor unit 14 is connected to the transmission 15 to transmit power to the transmission 15. Drive power delivered by the electric motor unit 14 is transmitted to the rear wheel 3 via the transmission 15 and the power transmission structure 16.
[0012] An exhaust pipe 17, which carries away exhaust gas produced by combustion in the cylinder 25, is connected to the exhaust opening 25b (see Fig. 6) of the internal combustion engine 13. The exhaust pipe 17 extends from the exhaust opening 25b of the cylinder 25 in the forward direction and in the downward direction, extends under the crankcase 26 in the rear direction and is connected to a silencer 18 which is located on a right side of the rear wheel 3.
[0013] The other end section of the crankshaft 27 is connected to a starter 19 to transmit power to the starter 19. The starter 19 is an example of a component connected to the crankshaft 27. The starter 19 is arranged coaxially with the crankshaft 27. The starter 19 drives the crankshaft 27 to start the internal combustion engine 13 and, during operation of the internal combustion engine 13, is driven by the crankshaft 27 to generate electrical current. The starter 19 is covered by a cover 20, which is detachably attached to a left side surface of the crankcase 26 by a bracket.
[0014] A first radiator 21 and a second radiator 22 are arranged in front of the internal combustion engine 13. The internal combustion engine 13 is the target object cooled by the first radiator 21. The electric motor unit 14 is the target object cooled by the second radiator 22. The first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 are covered in the vehicle's left-right direction by a front fairing 23, which is supported by the body frame 4. The second radiator 22 is arranged in front of the first radiator 21 and behind the front fork 5. Both the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 are inclined such that one upper end of each is located on the front of the vehicle and the other lower end is located on the front of the vehicle.
[0015] When the vehicle is stationary, the lower end of the second radiator 22 is positioned higher than the lower end of the front wheel cover 6. The lower end of the second radiator 22 is positioned higher than the crankcase 26. When the vehicle is stationary, the lower end of the second radiator 22 is positioned lower than the upper end of the front wheel cover 6. The upper end of the second radiator 22 is positioned lower than the cylinder head 4a. When the vehicle is stationary, the upper end of the second radiator 22 is positioned higher than the upper end of the front wheel 2. A vertical section of the second radiator 22 overlaps a vertical section of the cylinder 25. The lower end of the second radiator 22 is positioned lower than the upper end of the cylinder 25. The upper end of the second radiator 22 is positioned higher than the lower end of the cylinder 25.
[0016] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the drive 12, the first cooler 21, and the second cooler 22, which are in Fig. The figures shown in 1 are viewed from the right front of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the frontally projected area of the second cooler 22 is smaller than the frontally projected area of the first cooler 21. For example, the frontally projected area of the second cooler 22 is less than 50% of the frontally projected area of the first cooler 21 and greater than 10% of the frontally projected area of the first cooler 21. More precisely, the frontally projected area of the second cooler 22 can be greater than 20% of the frontally projected area of the first cooler 21 and less than 40% of the frontally projected area of the first cooler 21.
[0017] The second radiator 22 overlaps the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 is located on one side of the left-right directional center of the first radiator 21 in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the second radiator 22 is on the left side of the vehicle (right side in Fig. 2) the left-right directional center of the first radiator 21. The second radiator 22 is arranged on the left side of the left-right directional center of the vehicle 1, i.e., on a side where the side stand 28 is located (see Fig. 1) is located.
[0018] The first cooler 21 comprises a first heat exchanger 21a, a first inlet reservoir 21b, and a first outlet reservoir 21c. The first heat exchanger 21a includes: coolant tubes connecting the first inlet reservoir 21b to the first outlet reservoir 21c; and radiation fins arranged on the outer surfaces of the coolant tubes. More precisely, as air flows through the first heat exchanger 21a from the front to a rear, heat from the coolant in the coolant tubes is transferred to the air via the radiation fins, thereby cooling the coolant in the coolant tubes. Both the first inlet reservoir 21b and the first outlet reservoir 21c each define a storage space that is connected to passages in the coolant tubes of the first heat exchanger 21a.
[0019] The outer shape of the entire first cooler 21 is a plate shape. A normal line, perpendicular to an airflow receiving surface, which is a major surface of the first cooler 21, is oriented in the forward direction. The first inlet reservoir 21b is on the left side (right side in Fig. 2) arranged adjacent to the first heat exchanger 21a. The first outlet vessel 21c is on the right side (left side in Fig. 2) arranged adjacent to the first heat exchanger 21a. The first cooler 21 is oriented such that one dimension of the first cooler 21 in the left-right direction is larger than one dimension of the first cooler 21 in the top-bottom direction.
[0020] The second cooler 22 comprises a second heat exchanger 22a, a second inlet reservoir 22b, and a second outlet reservoir 22c. The second heat exchanger 22a includes: coolant tubes connecting the second inlet reservoir 22b to the second outlet reservoir 22c; and radiation fins arranged on the outer surfaces of the coolant tubes. More precisely, as air flows through the second heat exchanger 22a from the front to the rear, the heat from the coolant in the coolant tubes is transferred to the air via the radiation fins, thereby cooling the coolant in the coolant tubes. Both the second inlet reservoir 22b and the second outlet reservoir 22c each define a storage space that communicates with passages in the coolant tubes of the second heat exchanger 22a.
[0021] The entire second cooler 22 has a plate-like shape. A normal line, perpendicular to a forward-facing airflow surface that forms a major surface of the second cooler 22, is oriented in the front direction. The second inlet reservoir 22b is located on the top side adjacent to the second heat exchanger 22a. The second outlet reservoir 22c is located on the bottom side of the second heat exchanger 22a. The second cooler 22 is oriented such that one dimension of the second cooler 22 in the top-bottom direction is larger than one dimension of the second cooler 22 in the left-right direction.
[0022] The exhaust pipe 17 extends towards one side of the left-right center of the vehicle 1 in the left-right direction. In particular, the exhaust pipe 17 extends towards the right side of the left-right center of the vehicle 1, so that in conjunction with the silencer 18 (see Fig. 1) is located on the right side of the rear wheel 3. The exhaust pipe 17 runs through a space directly below a right half-section of the crankcase 26. The exhaust pipe 17 extends to one side (right side) of the left-right center of the vehicle 1 in the left-right direction, and the second radiator 22 is located on the other side (left side) of the left-right center of the vehicle 1 in the left-right direction. Consequently, viewed from above the vehicle, the second radiator 22 is located away from the exhaust pipe 17 in the left-right direction.
[0023] A first inlet pipe 34 is connected to the first inlet reservoir 21b of the first radiator 21. The first inlet pipe 34 directs the coolant, which has cooled the cylinder 25 to be heated, into the first inlet reservoir 21b. A first outlet pipe 35 is connected to the first outlet reservoir 21c of the first radiator 21. The first outlet pipe 35 directs the coolant, which has been cooled by the first radiator 21, to a first pump P1.
[0024] The first pump P1 is a mechanical pump that operates mechanically in conjunction with the crankshaft 27 of the internal combustion engine 13. The first pump P1 is located on a right-hand side face of the internal combustion engine 13. The first pump P1 injects the coolant into a cooling channel of the internal combustion engine 13. A cover 32, which is detachably attached to a right-hand side face of the crankcase 26, is located behind the first pump P1. The cover 32 covers a coupling on the right side that is indirectly connected to the crankshaft 27 (see Fig. 1) of the internal combustion engine 13 is connected.
[0025] A second inlet pipe 37 is connected to the second inlet reservoir 22b of the second radiator 22. The second inlet pipe 37 carries the coolant to the electric motor unit 14 to be heated (see Fig. 1) cooled, to the second inlet reservoir 22b. A second outlet pipe 38 is connected to the second outlet reservoir 22c of the second radiator 22. The second outlet pipe 38 directs the coolant, which has been cooled by the second radiator 22, to a second pump P2.
[0026] The second pump P2 is driven independently of the crankshaft 27 of the internal combustion engine 13. The second pump P2 is, for example, an electric pump driven electrically. The second pump P2 is attached to the cover 20, which is detachably mounted to a left side surface of the crankcase 26. The cover 20 covers the starter 19 (see Fig. 1) off, which is arranged coaxially to the crankshaft 27. The second pump P2 is arranged lower than the second cooler 22.
[0027] The second inlet pipe 37 runs above the first radiator 21 in a front-to-back direction. The second outlet pipe 38 runs below the first radiator 21 in a front-to-back direction. At least one of the second inlet pipe 37 or the second outlet pipe 38 runs directly above the first radiator 21 in a front-to-back direction.
[0028] Fig. Figure 3 is a top view, showing the first cooler 21 and the second cooler 22, which are in Fig. Figures 2 are shown, viewed from the top of the vehicle. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a radiator fan 31 is arranged adjacent to the first radiator 21 in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the radiator fan 31 is attached to the first radiator 21 such that it is located behind the first heat exchanger 21a of the first radiator 21. When the internal combustion engine 13 is running and the vehicle 1 is stationary, the radiator fan 31 is driven by electrical power to generate the airflow that flows through the first heat exchanger 21a from the front to the rear. While the vehicle 1 is in motion, the radiator fan 31 stops, and the airflow from the vehicle's movement flows through the first heat exchanger 21a from the front to the rear.
[0029] The cylinder 25 of the internal combustion engine 13 is located behind the first radiator 21 and the radiator fan 31. In the present embodiment, one dimension of the first radiator 21 in the left-right direction is larger than one dimension of the cylinder 25 in the left-right direction. The first radiator 21 projects beyond the cylinder 25 on both sides in the left-right direction. The second radiator 22 is located outside the cylinder 25 in the left-right direction. The second heat exchanger 22a (see Fig. 2) The second cooler 22 is located in front of and away from the first cooler 21. The second cooler 22 is directly opposite the first cooler 21 in the front-to-back direction. A maximum distance in the front-to-back direction between the second heat exchanger 22a (see Fig. 2) The distance between the second cooler 22 and the first inlet reservoir 21b of the first cooler 21 is 10 mm or more and 80 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less. This allows the airflow from the second cooler 22 to the rear to bypass the first inlet reservoir 21b and be discharged evenly, while preventing an increase in the volume of space occupied.
[0030] At least a part W of the airflow passing through the second heat exchanger 22a (see Fig. 2) The coolant flowing from the front to the rear of the second radiator 22 flows through the first heat exchanger 21a of the first radiator 21 from the front to the rear. The temperature of the coolant flowing in the first radiator 21 is higher than the temperature of the coolant flowing in the second radiator 22. Therefore, the airflow passing through the second heat exchanger 22a (see Fig. 2) of the second radiator 22 and increases its temperature, cooling the coolant flowing in the first radiator 21. The airflow passing through the second heat exchanger 22a (see Fig. 2) of the second cooler 22 and which has flowed onto the first inlet reservoir 21b of the first cooler 21, flows outwards through a gap between the first cooler 21 and the second cooler 22.
[0031] Fig. Figure 4 is a front view, showing the first cooler 21 and the second cooler 22, which are in Fig. Figure 1 shows the view from the front of the vehicle. Since radiators 21 and 22 are inclined towards the front, the upper end faces of radiators 21 and 22 are shown in Fig. 4 shown from the front of the vehicle. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the second radiator 22 partially overlaps the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left-right center line of the second radiator 22 overlaps the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. In particular, the left-right center line of the second radiator 22 overlaps the first inlet tank 21b when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second heat exchanger 22a of the second radiator 22 overlaps the first heat exchanger 21a of the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0032] The first radiator 21 overlaps the front fork 5 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first radiator 21 overlaps the front wheel 2 and the front wheel cover 6 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 is located outside the front wheel 2 and the front wheel cover 6 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 is located partially outside the front forks 5 when viewed from the front of the vehicle in the left-right direction. The second radiator 22 is located completely outside the radiator fan 31 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 overlaps the first inlet reservoir 21b when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0033] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a cooling channel of the in Fig. 2 shown second cooler 22. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the electric motor unit 14 comprises an electric motor 51 and an inverter 52. In the present embodiment, the inverter 52 is integrated into the electric motor 51. A cooling target object cooled by the second radiator 22 is a heat-generating electrical component that is driven by the electric motor unit 14 to generate heat. Specifically, the cooling target objects cooled by the second radiator 22 are the electric motor 51 and the inverter 52. The electric motor 51 generates drive power that drives the rear wheel 3. The inverter 52 controls the electrical power supplied to the electric motor 51.
[0034] The electric motor unit 14 is arranged on the left side of a vehicle centerline CL, which passes through the left-right center of the vehicle 1 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the electric motor 51 is arranged on the vehicle centerline CL such that the center of the electric motor 51 is located on the left side of the vehicle centerline CL. The entire inverter 52 is arranged on the left side of the vehicle centerline CL. The inverter 52 is located adjacent to the electric motor 51 on the left side. The electric motor unit 14 and the second radiator 22 are arranged on one side of the vehicle centerline CL in the left-to-right direction. In particular, both the electric motor unit 14 and the second radiator 22 are arranged on the left side of the vehicle centerline CL.
[0035] A portion of the second radiator 22, to which the second inlet pipe 37 is connected, is located on the left side of the left-right center line of the second radiator 22. A section of the second radiator 22, to which the second outlet pipe 38 is connected, is located on the left side of the left-right center line of the second radiator 22. The sections of the second radiator 22 to which pipes 37 and 38 are connected are located on one side of the vehicle center line CL, which coincides with the side on which the electric motor unit 14 is located.
[0036] The electric motor 51 comprises a cooling channel 51a and a drain opening 51b connected to the cooling channel 51a. The inverter 52 comprises a cooling channel 52a and an inlet opening 52b connected to the cooling channel 52a. An outlet opening of the cooling channel 52a is connected to an inlet opening of the cooling channel 51a. The inlet opening 52b is located on a left section of the inverter 52. The drain opening 51b is located on a right section of the electric motor 51. A second relay tube 39 connects the second pump P2 to the inlet opening 52b of the inverter 52.
[0037] The coolant, cooled by the second radiator 22, flows through the drive of the second pump P2, in this sequence through the second outlet pipe 38, the second pump P2, and the second relay pipe 39, and flows into the inlet opening 52b of the inverter 52. This coolant then flows through the cooling channel 52a and the cooling channel 51a, in this sequence, to cool the inverter 52 and the electric motor 51, and flows from the outlet opening 51b to the second inlet pipe 37. This coolant is cooled by the second radiator 22.
[0038] Fig. Figure 6 is a left side view of the drive 12, the first cooler 21, the second cooler 22 and their surroundings, which Fig. 1 are shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the first radiator 21 is arranged in a vehicle side view along a frame section of the body frame 4, which is located directly behind and closest to the first radiator 21. Specifically, the frame section located directly behind and closest to the first radiator 21 is inclined such that it extends forward and upward, and the first radiator 21 is also inclined such that it extends forward and upward. The second radiator 22 is also inclined such that it extends forward and upward. The first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 are inclined along a direction in which the cylinder 25 is inclined. In the vehicle side view, the second radiator 22 is arranged parallel to the first radiator 21.
[0039] An upper section of the first cooler 21 is attached to the main frame 4b via a bracket B1 (see also Fig. 2) An upper section of the second cooler 22 is attached to the first cooler 21 via a bracket B2. A lower section of the first cooler 21 and a lower section of the second cooler 22 are attached to the main frame 4b via a bracket B3.
[0040] The first inlet pipe 34, which is connected to the first radiator 21, is connected to a cooling channel outlet on a left side surface of the internal combustion engine 13. The coolant from the first pump P1 is supplied to a cooling channel inlet of the internal combustion engine 13 (see Fig. 2).
[0041] The cover 20 comprises: a main cover body 20a, which covers the starter 19, and pump supports 20b, which project from the main cover body 20a. The second pump P2 is attached to the pump supports 20b of the cover 20 by brackets. In particular, each of the pump supports 20b projects upward from the main cover body 20a and includes an upper surface 20ba. The second pump P2 is mounted from above onto the upper surfaces 20ba of the pump supports 20b.
[0042] In the vehicle side view, the second pump P2 is positioned so that it overlaps the internal combustion engine 13. The second pump P2 is located in the front-to-back direction between the second radiator 22 and the electric motor unit 14. The second pump P2 is positioned lower than the second outlet reservoir 22c of the second radiator 22 and the inlet opening 52b of the electric motor unit 14.
[0043] The second inlet pipe 37 extends above the first radiator 21 in a front-to-rear direction. The second inlet pipe 37 is located on the left side of the vehicle centerline CL (see Fig. 5) is arranged and extends in the front-to-back direction from the rear of the cylinder 25 to the front of the cylinder 25. The second exhaust pipe 38 extends under the first radiator 21 in the front-to-back direction. In the vehicle side view, the second inlet pipe 37 and the second exhaust pipe 38 do not overlap the first radiator 21 and are arranged away from the first radiator 21.
[0044] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view, showing the drive 12, the first cooler 21, and the second cooler 22, which are in Fig. Figure 6 shows the view from the right rear of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the vehicle 1 includes a common reservoir 40 for the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22. The common reservoir 40 is supported by the body frame 4 (see Figure 7). Fig. 1) The common reservoir 40 has the function of receiving the coolant that has overflowed from the first radiator 21 or the second radiator 22, and the function of supplying the coolant to the first radiator 21 or the second radiator 22. The coolant of the first radiator 21 and the coolant of the second radiator 22 are of the same type.
[0045] The common reservoir 40 is arranged on one side of the first cooler 21 in the left-right direction, opposite the side on which the second cooler 22 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the second cooler 22 is arranged on the left side of the first cooler 21, and the common reservoir 40 is arranged on the right side of the first cooler 21.
[0046] The common reservoir 40 includes a fluid filler neck 40a. The fluid filler neck 40a is removablely closed by a reservoir cover 41. The common reservoir 40 is connected to the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 via a common supply pipe 42. The common supply pipe 42 is located on the right side of the vehicle centerline CL (see Fig. 5) arranged and extends in the front-to-back direction from the front of the cylinder 25 to the rear of the cylinder 25.
[0047] The common supply pipe 42 comprises a base line 42a, a first branch line 42b, and a second branch line 42c. The first branch line 42b and the second branch line 42c extend from the base line 42a. The base line 42a is connected to the common reservoir 40. The first branch line 42b connects the base line 42a, for example, to the first outlet reservoir 21c of the first cooler 21. The second branch line 42c connects the base line 42a, for example, to the cooling channel 51a of the electric motor unit 14.
[0048] According to the above design, in the straddle-seat vehicle 1, whose size is limited, the total space occupied by the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 in the left-right direction can be reduced. A high-temperature coolant flows through the first radiator 21, which cools the internal combustion engine 13, which has a higher temperature than the electric motor unit 14. Therefore, the airflow that passes through the second radiator 22 to raise its temperature can be reused to cool the first radiator 21. For this reason, both a reduction in the occupied space and an improvement in cooling efficiency can be achieved.
[0049] The second cooler 22 is located on one side of the left-right directional center of the first cooler 21. The left-right directional center of the second cooler 22 overlaps the first cooler 21 when viewed from the front. Accordingly, the airflow is directed straight to the left-right directional center of the first cooler 21, which satisfactorily maintains the cooling efficiency of the first cooler 21 while reducing the total space occupied by the first cooler 21 and the second cooler 22 when viewed from the front.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the second cooler 22 overlaps a section of the first cooler 21 that, viewed from the front, is closer to the first inlet reservoir 21b than to the first outlet reservoir 21c. This results in a greater temperature difference between the airflow passing through the second cooler 22 and a section of the first cooler 21 through which the airflow flows, compared to a case where the second cooler 22 overlaps a section of the first cooler 21 that, viewed from the front, is closer to the first outlet reservoir 21c than to the first inlet reservoir 21b. Therefore, the deterioration in the heat exchange performance of the first cooler 21 can be suppressed.
[0051] Viewed from the front, the entire second radiator 22 is located outside the front wheel 2 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the airflow is directed easily and directly to the second radiator 22 without being obstructed by the front wheel 2. This improves the cooling performance of the second radiator 22. In the present embodiment, the center point of the second radiator 22, in the vehicle's width direction, is located outside the front fork 5. In other words, an outer end of the second radiator 22, in the vehicle's width direction, is located outside the front fork 5. This allows the airflow, which is directed outwards from the front fork 5 in the vehicle's width direction, to be easily directed to the second radiator 22. This further improves the cooling performance.
[0052] The lower end of the second radiator 22 is positioned higher than the lower end of the front wheel cover 6. This reduces the possibility of a flying stone hitting the second radiator 22.
[0053] Viewed from the front, the entire second cooler 22 is located outside the cooling fan 31. Accordingly, the airflow passing through the first cooler 21 can be satisfactorily generated by the cooling fan 31 without being blocked by the second cooler 22.
[0054] The second cooler 22 overlaps the first inlet reservoir 21b or the first outlet reservoir 21c when viewed from the front. Accordingly, the area of a section of the second cooler 22 that overlaps the first heat exchanger 21a when viewed from the front can be reduced. This improves the cooling efficiency of the first cooler 21.
[0055] The second inlet pipe 37 and the second outlet pipe 38 each run above or below the first radiator 21 in a front-to-back direction. Accordingly, the pipes 37 and 38 connected to the second radiator 22 can be arranged compactly. The pipes 37 and 38 connected to the second radiator 22 can be prevented from obstructing the path of the airflow to the first radiator 21.
[0056] The second pump P2 is attached to the cover 20. Therefore, a support to which the second pump P2 for the second radiator 22 is attached does not need to be located on the internal combustion engine 13. This improves the versatility of the internal combustion engine 13.
[0057] The electric motor unit 14 and the second radiator 22 are arranged on one side of the left-right center of the vehicle 1. Accordingly, the pipes 37 to 39, which connect the electric motor unit 14 and the second radiator 22, can be shortened. The first radiator 21 is arranged parallel to the second radiator 22. The first radiator 21 runs in the rearward direction while its downward direction is also affected. In this way, the first radiator 21 can be positioned as far forward as possible without obstructing the steering of the front wheel 2.
[0058] The exhaust pipe 17 runs towards one side of the left-right center of the vehicle 1, and the second radiator 22 is located on the other side of the left-right center of the vehicle 1. Accordingly, the influence of the heat from the exhaust pipe 17 on the second radiator 22 can be reduced.
[0059] If a valve structure that applies force by which an inlet valve or an exhaust valve is opened or closed is located on the internal combustion engine 13, it is preferred that: the valve structure is arranged on one side of the body center in the left-right direction; and the second radiator 22 is arranged on the other side of the body center in the left-right direction. In this way, the space behind the second radiator 22 can be easily enlarged, and the airflow that has passed through the second radiator 22 and the first radiator 21 can be easily directed to the rear.
[0060] The second radiator 22 is on the left side of the left-right directional center of the vehicle 1, i.e. on the left side where the side stand 28 is located (see Fig.1) is located, arranged. When the vehicle 1 is parked using the side stand 28, i.e., the vehicle 1 is tilted to the left, the second radiator 22 is positioned lower than the center of the first radiator 21. This prevents the heat from the first radiator 21 from being transferred to the second radiator 22.
[0061] In the present embodiment, the second pump P2 for the second radiator 22 is an electric pump. Therefore, the cooling effect can be achieved by circulating the coolant in the second radiator 22, even when the internal combustion engine 13 is stationary. Furthermore, the second pump P2, which circulates the coolant in the second radiator 22, is installed in addition to the first pump P1, which circulates the coolant in the first radiator 21. Thus, the coolant in the second radiator 22 can circulate independently of the first radiator 21. This prevents the cooling capacity of the second radiator 22 from becoming too high or too low. Modified examples
[0062] Vehicle 1 is a parallel hybrid vehicle, but it is not limited to this and can also be a series hybrid vehicle. The drive power delivered by the electric motor 51 can be transmitted directly to the rear wheel 3 without passing through the transmission 15. The inverter 52 can be located remotely from the electric motor 51. A cooling target, cooled by the second radiator 22, can be either the electric motor 51 or the inverter 52.
[0063] The second radiator 22 can completely overlap the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left-right center line of the second radiator 22 can overlap the first heat exchanger 21a of the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left-right center line of the second radiator 22 need not overlap the first radiator 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 can be located completely outside the front fork 5 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 can overlap the front wheel 2 or the front wheel cover 6 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second radiator 22 can overlap the radiator fan 31 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.The second radiator 22 can overlap the first heat exchanger 21a when viewed from the front of the vehicle, without overlapping the first inlet tank 21b and the first outlet tank 21c.
[0064] Only one of the second inlet pipe 37 and the second outlet pipe 38 can pass above or below the first cooler 21 in a front-to-back direction. The other of the second inlet pipe 37 and the second outlet pipe 38 can pass outside the first cooler 21 in a left-to-right direction in a front-to-back direction. Both the second inlet pipe 37 and the second outlet pipe 38 can pass outside the first cooler 21 in a left-to-right direction in a front-to-back direction. Another structure (e.g., a moving air deflector) can be arranged in a gap between the first cooler 21 and the second cooler 22.
[0065] The second pump P2 can be a mechanical pump instead of an electric pump. The second pump P2 can be a mechanical pump that operates mechanically in conjunction with a drive shaft of the electric motor 51. Instead of the cover 20, the second pump P2 can be attached to another cover that protects a component of the internal combustion engine 13. For example, the second pump P2 can be detachably attached to the cover 32, which protects the coupling connected to the crankshaft 27 of the internal combustion engine 13. The second pump P2 can also be detachably attached to a cylinder head cover.
[0066] The second pump P2 can be mounted on a surface other than the top of the cover 20. The pump supports 20b of the cover 20 can project from the main cover body 20a in a direction other than the top. The pump supports 20b can be seat surfaces that do not project from the main cover body 20a.
[0067] The electric motor unit 14 and the second radiator 22 can be located on the right side of the vehicle centerline CL. In this case, the parts of the second radiator 22 to which the pipes 37 and 38 are connected can also be located on the right side of the vehicle centerline CL. The inverter 52 can be located adjacent to the electric motor 51 on the right side.
[0068] A support structure for the first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 is not limited to the above. Bracket B1 and bracket B2 can be integrated together. The first radiator 21 and the second radiator 22 can be attached to the body frame 4 with a single common bracket. Bracket B3 can be divided into several brackets.
[0069] As described above, the embodiment was presented as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this and is also applicable to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are made appropriately. Furthermore, a new embodiment can be produced by combining the components described in the embodiment above. For example, some of the components or methods of one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment. Some components of one embodiment can be separated from the other components of the embodiment and extracted as desired.Furthermore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed explanations include not only components that are essential for solving the problems, but also components that serve to illustrate the above technology and are not essential for solving the problems. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 vehicle 2 front wheel 3 rear wheel 4 body frames 4a Head tube 4b Main frame 5 front forks 6 Front wheel cover 7 Swivel arm 8 Steering shaft 9 handle 10 Fuel tank 11 seats 12 Drive 13 Internal combustion engine 14 Electric motor unit 15 gearboxes 16 Transmission structure 17 Exhaust pipe 18 silencers 19 starter motors 20 Cover 20a Cover main body 20b Pump carrier 20ba upper surface 21 first cooler 21a first heat exchanger 21b first inlet container 21c first outlet container 22 second cooler 22a second heat exchanger 22b second inlet container 22c second outlet container 23 Front fairing 25 cylinders 25a Inlet opening 25b Outlet opening 26 Crankcase 27 Crankshaft 28 Side stands 31 cooling fans 32 Cover 34 first inlet pipe 35 first outlet pipe 37 second inlet pipe 38 second outlet pipe 39 second relay tube 40 shared storage containers 40a Liquid filler neck 41 Container lids 42 common supply pipe 42a Basic line 42b first branch line 42c second branch line 51 Electric motor 51a Cooling channel 51b Drainage opening 52 Inverter 52a Cooling channel 52b Inlet B1 bracket B2 bracket B3 bracket P1 first pump P2 second pump
Claims
[1] Hybrid straddle seat vehicle (1) comprising: an internal combustion engine (13); an electric motor (51) that generates power to be transmitted to a drive wheel (3); an inverter (52) that controls the electrical power supplied to the electric motor (51); a first cooler (21) that cools the internal combustion engine (13); and a second cooler (22) which cools at least one cooling target object selected from the group consisting of the electric motor (51) and the inverter (52), wherein at least part of the second cooler (22) overlaps the first cooler (21) when viewed from the front of the vehicle, wherein the second cooler (22) is arranged in front of the first cooler (21), wherein the second cooler (22) is arranged on one side of a left-right directional center of the first cooler (21) in a left-right direction; and where, viewed from the front of the vehicle, the first radiator (21) has a section arranged on one side in the left-right direction, in which the second cooler (22) overlaps, and a section which is arranged on the other side in the left-right direction and which is freed from the second cooler (22). [2] Hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The left-right directional center of the second radiator (22) overlaps the first radiator (21) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. [3] Hybrid straddle seat vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a front wheel (2) arranged in front of the first radiator (21) and the second radiator (22), wherein the entire second radiator (22) is arranged outside the front wheel (2) when viewed from the front of the vehicle in a left-right direction. [4] Hybrid straddle seat vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a front wheel cover (6) arranged in front of the first radiator (21) and the second radiator (22), wherein a lower end of the second radiator (22) is arranged higher than a lower end of the front wheel cover (6). [5] Hybrid straddle seat vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a radiator fan (31) arranged in a front-to-back direction adjacent to the first radiator (21) to generate an airflow passing through the first radiator (21), wherein the entire second radiator (22) is arranged outside the radiator fan (31) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. [6] Hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the first cooler (21) includes a first heat exchanger (21a), a first inlet vessel (21b) which is arranged on one side of the first heat exchanger (21a) in a left-right direction and adjacent to the first heat exchanger (21a), and a first outlet vessel (21c) which is arranged on the other side of the first heat exchanger (21a) in the left-right direction and adjacent to the first heat exchanger (21a); and The second radiator (22) overlaps the first inlet tank (21b) or the first outlet tank (21c) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. [7] Hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: an inlet pipe (37) connected to the second radiator (22); and an outlet pipe (38) connected to the second cooler (22), wherein: the second cooler (22) includes a second heat exchanger (22a), a second inlet vessel (22b) which is arranged on one side of the second heat exchanger (22a) in an up-down direction and adjacent to the second heat exchanger (22a), and a second outlet container (22c) which is located on the other side of the second heat exchanger (22a) in the top-bottom direction and adjacent to the second heat exchanger (22a); the inlet pipe (37) is connected to the second inlet container (22b); the outlet pipe (38) is connected to the second outlet container (22c); and at least one pipe, selected from the group consisting of the inlet pipe (37) and the outlet pipe (38), runs above or below the first cooler (21) in a front-to-back direction. [8] Hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a cover (20) that covers a component of the internal combustion engine (13) and is removable; and a pump (P2) that generates a coolant flow between the second cooler (22) and the cooling target object, wherein: the pump (P2) is attached to the cover (20). [9] Hybrid straddle seat vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cooling target object and the second cooler (22) are arranged in a vehicle width direction on one side of a vehicle width direction center of the straddle seat vehicle (1). [10] Hybrid straddle-seat vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an exhaust pipe (17) through which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (13) is passed, wherein: the exhaust pipe (17) extends in a vehicle width direction towards one side of a vehicle width direction center of the straddle seat vehicle (1); and the second radiator (22) is arranged in the vehicle width direction on the other side of the vehicle width direction center of the straddle seat vehicle (1).
Citation Information
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