Cooling assembly for a two-wheeler

Abstract

The two-wheeler can include a frame, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and an engine supported by the frame assembly. Further, the two-wheeler can include a cooling assembly including a radiator, a radiator cover, a fan, and a coolant bottle. The cooling assembly can include a single unit such that all components are coupled to each other and can be installed, removed, or rotated as a single structural unit. The coolant bottle may be positioned below the radiator. The radiator cover can have a plurality of horizontal louvers and a plurality of vertical louvers, both of which are positioned to protect from debris and capture an air flow.

Description

Background Art

[0001] [Related Applications]

[0002]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 349,813, filed on Jun. 7, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. [Field of the Disclosure]

[0003]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cooling assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a radiator cover and a coolant bottle for a two-wheeled vehicle. [Background of the Disclosure]

[0004]

[0003] Conventional two-wheeled vehicles include a frame for supporting an operator. The frame may also support a passenger behind the operator. The engine is typically located under the driver and is coupled to the frame. The front portion of the vehicle may include a panel or cover located in front of the driver to support additional components of the vehicle, such as lights. The rear portion of the vehicle may include a luggage area, such as saddle bags, that extend laterally outward from the frame.

[0005]

[0004] Such vehicles typically include a cooling assembly that is fluidly coupled to the engine. The cooling assembly may include a radiator, a fan, coolant, fluid conduits, and various other components. Since the space on such vehicles may be restricted, it is necessary to support the cooling assembly on a two-wheeled vehicle without interfering with other components of the vehicle. Summary of the Disclosure

[0006]

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame including a downtube and a plurality of ground engagement members for supporting the frame. In addition, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a cooling assembly including a radiator and a radiator cover. The radiator cover includes a plurality of horizontal louvers and a plurality of vertical louvers.

[0007]

[0006] Further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame including a downtube, a mounting arm on the downtube, and a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a cooling assembly including a radiator, a fan, a radiator cover, and a coolant bottle as one structural unit.

[0008]

[0007] Further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame including a downtube, a mounting arm on the downtube, and a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a cooling assembly including a radiator, a fan, and a coolant bottle. The coolant bottle is positioned below the radiator.

[0009]

[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0011]

[0019] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not to scale.

[0012] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0013]

[0020] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are selected and described so that those skilled in the art can utilize their teachings. The invention mainly includes standard motorcycles, but it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to other types of vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, ships, multi-purpose vehicles, scooters, golf carts, and mopeds.

[0014]

[0021] First, referring to FIGS. 1-2, an exemplary embodiment of a motorcycle 2 is shown. The illustrated vehicle 2 is a motorcycle and can be configured for cruising, touring, sports, dirt bike, or other various driving applications as described herein.

[0015]

[0022] Vehicle 2 includes a frame 4 supported by ground-engaging members, namely, a front ground-engaging member, for example, a front wheel 6, and a rear ground-engaging member, for example, a rear wheel 8. Vehicle 2 travels on the ground on the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 8. The front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 8 are substantially aligned along the center line L of the vehicle 2. Although the vehicle 2 is a two-wheeled vehicle, various embodiments of the present disclosure can include three-wheeled, four-wheeled, five-wheeled, or six-wheeled vehicles. A front fender (not shown) may be partially positioned around the front wheel 6 and may include a light or a reflector. Similarly, a rear fender (not shown) may be positioned around the rear wheel 8. In addition, a brake assembly (not shown) is operably coupled to the front wheel 6 and / or the rear wheel 8.

[0016]

[0023] The frame 4 of the vehicle 2 can include an intermediate frame assembly 10 for supporting a power train assembly 12. Other portions of the frame 4, such as the intermediate frame assembly 10 or a front frame portion or a rear frame portion, can support a cooling assembly 14 (FIG. 3), a fuel tank 16, a rear suspension assembly, and an operator seat. The front wheel 6 and / or the rear wheel 8 are operably coupled to the power train assembly 12 to propel the vehicle 2 along the ground. The power train assembly 12 can include both an engine and a transmission. The engine can be a spark-ignition gasoline engine, an electric motor, or any other suitable torque generator operable in various embodiments of the present teachings.

[0017]

[0024] Vehicle 2 also includes a front suspension assembly, a steering assembly 18, operator controls, and other systems. The steering assembly 18 includes a handlebar that can be moved by an operator to rotate the front wheel 6 left or right. The steering assembly 18 is coupled to the vehicle 2 via a triple clamp assembly. The triple clamp assembly may be operably coupled to the front suspension assembly via a down tube.

[0018]

[0025] Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, the cooling assembly 14 includes a radiator cover 26, a radiator 20 located behind the radiator cover, a fan 22 located behind the radiator 20, and a coolant bottle 24 located below the fan 22 and the radiator 20. The radiator 20 includes a plurality of vertical fins 38. The radiator cover 26 has a plurality of horizontal louvers 28 and a plurality of vertical louvers 30. The louvers 28 and 30 are both in a linear planar shape.

[0019]

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the radiator cover 26 surrounds at least the front surface of the radiator 20 and the coolant bottle 24. The radiator cover 26 is removably coupled to the down tube 32 via the horizontal member 80 of the frame 4, and the fastener 46 extends through the upper hole 50 of the cover 26. In addition, the cover 26 is removably coupled to the coolant bottle 24 by a fastener 46 that extends through the lower hole of the cover 26. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the radiator cover 26 is removably coupled to the coolant bottle 24 when the lower hole 48 of the cover 26 is aligned with the hole 54 of the coolant bottle 24, and is removably coupled to the down tube 32 when the upper hole 50 of the cover 26 is aligned with the hole 52 of the horizontal member 80. In this way, the cover 26 is removably coupled to the vehicle 2 to access the radiator 20 and is coupled to the vehicle 2 via the frame member and the coolant bottle 24.

[0020]

[0027] The radiator cover 26 has a plurality of horizontal louvers 28 positioned along the upper extent of the cover 26. Exemplarily, the horizontal louvers 28 extend laterally along at least the upper half of the cover 26 and, as shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal louvers 28 are positioned at the top and central portion of the radiator cover 26. In one embodiment, the horizontal louvers 28 also extend along at least a partial width of the lower extent of the cover 26. The radiator cover 26 provides the dual advantage of protecting the radiator 20 from damage by debris and acting as a guide to direct an air flow to the radiator 20. To facilitate the flow of air to the radiator 20, there is a gap 82 between the uppermost horizontal louver 28 and the top of the radiator cover 26.

[0021]

[0028] The air flow generally enters the radiator from the vertical direction over the tops of the front wheels 6 and fenders and also laterally around the sides of the front wheels 6. Most of the air flow entering the radiator 20 first passes through the front wheels 6 and fenders, which direct the air vertically downward toward the radiator cover 26. For this reason, the top of the radiator cover 26 has a plurality of horizontal louvers 28 positioned at an angle to receive the vertically downward air flow. Lateral air flow that wraps around the front wheels 6 and into the vehicle 2's centerline L in a laterally downward direction is captured by vertical louvers 30 positioned at the lower left and right sides of the radiator cover 26. At the bottom central portion of the radiator cover 26, the lower horizontal louver 28 can be positioned midway laterally between a first or left group of vertical louvers 30 and a second or right group of vertical louvers 30. The lower horizontal louver 28 captures the vertically downward air flow to this region of the radiator cover 26.

[0022]

[0029] Exemplarily, the horizontal louvers are horizontally aligned and substantially parallel to each other. The vertical louvers 30 are vertically aligned and substantially parallel to each other. In one embodiment, the vertical louvers 30 may be positioned at an angle of at least 0 to 45 degrees from the center line L. The horizontal louvers 28 are substantially perpendicular to the vertical louvers 30. The angles of the vertical louvers 30 may be constant for all in order to maximize the capture of the air flow, or may vary for each individual vertical louver 30. The outermost vertical louver 30 on the side can extend from the bottom of the radiator cover 26 to the interface surface 88 with the horizontal louvers. The vertical support 86 may be positioned between the outermost lateral range of the vertical louvers 30 and the outer vertical side of the radiator cover 26. The vertical support 86 can extend vertically from the top of the lowest horizontal louver to the top of the radiator cover 26. In addition, the vertical support 86 can extend vertically through the notch portion 84 of the horizontal louver 28 to provide stability and structural support to the horizontal louver 28 and the radiator cover 26. The vertical support 86 can be aligned with the outermost vertical louver 30 on the side to provide a harmonious aesthetic appearance. The vertical support 86 provides structural support for the radiator cover 26 and the horizontal louver 28.

[0023]

[0030] The lower central horizontal louver 28 may be coupled to the vertical louver 30. The outermost vertical louver 30 on the side may have a recessed portion 44 that defines a clearance for the fender. The spacing between both the horizontal louver 28 and the vertical louver 30 is selected to minimize debris that impacts the radiator 20. The vertical louver 30 provides the advantage of capturing more airflow in two ways than in the case of only the horizontal louver 28. First, the vertical louver 30 directly captures the lateral airflow around the front wheel 6. Second, the vertical louver 30 indirectly impinges on the turbulent flow at the lower portion of the radiator cover 26, thereby creating a less disrupted airflow for the horizontal louver 28 to capture. As a result of capturing more airflow, a smaller radiator 20 can be installed in the vehicle 2, which provides several advantages such as an increase in space for other components, a reduction in the weight of the vehicle 2, and in particular an improvement in performance characteristics among other advantages.

[0024]

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 8, the cooling assembly 14 is supported above the down tubes 32 and below the head tubes 34. More specifically, the radiator 20 is supported within the pockets 40 (FIG. 7) of the frame 4, and the head tubes 34 and down tubes 32 generally surround the cooling assembly 14. The cooling assembly 14 is installed in front of the longitudinally extending frame arms 36 (FIG. 8) of the frame 4. The lower portion of the cooling assembly 14 is attached to the mounting pegs 60 of the down tubes 21 by brackets 58 of the radiator 58. In one embodiment, the mounting pegs 60 are defined by pegs extending laterally inwardly from each down tube 32, and vibration isolators may be positioned on the pegs. Exemplarily, the bracket 58 removably or fixedly couples to the lower portion of the radiator 20 and includes a U-shaped channel configured to receive the mounting pegs 60. The mounting pegs 60 are coupled to the lower portion of the down tubes 32. The bracket 58 is a pivot-type mounting portion that allows the radiator 20 to rotate about the mounting arms 60. The installation of the radiator 20 includes the steps of placing the bracket 58 on the mounting pegs 60 and then rotating the radiator 20 upward to a position between the down tubes 32 and the cross member 80. The radiator 20 is maintained in this position when the upper holes 56 of the radiator 20 are aligned with the holes 52 of the cross member 80 and then the fasteners 46 (FIG. 4) are inserted. It will be appreciated that the fasteners 46 are the same as the fasteners 46 that couple the cover 26 to the cross member 80 such that the holes 50, 52, 56 receive a single fastener 46 to couple both the upper ends of the radiator 20 and the cover 26 to the frame 4. The holes 56 may be defined within the brackets 62 of the radiator 20. The radiator 20 can be freely rotated about the centerline of the mounting pegs 60 on the bracket 58 without the need to remove the individual components of the cooling assembly 14. There are several advantages to the bracket 58. First, the bracket 58 provides for simplified installation and removal of the entire cooling assembly 14 as a complete unit without the need to individually install or remove each component.Second, the bracket 58 allows the fastener 46 to be removed from the hole 52 and the cooling assembly 14 to be rotated outwardly from the down tube 32, eliminating the need to remove the entire cooling assembly 14 and facilitating access to other components on the vehicle 2. Finally, since the cooling assembly 14 is a single movable unit, there is greater freedom to package the exhaust and other components on the vehicle 2.

[0025]

[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, the radiator 20, the fan 22, and the coolant bottle 24 are coupled to each other by a fastener 46. The coolant bottle 24 is coupled to the radiator 20 and is positioned directly below the lower portion of the radiator 20 by aligning the hole 64 of the coolant bottle 24 with the hole 66 of the radiator 20 and inserting the fastener 46. The location of the coolant bottle 24 positions the coolant bottle 24 in an unused location on the vehicle 2, creating additional space for other components in other locations and reducing the mounting points on the single unit cooling assembly 14. The fan 22 is coupled to the coolant bottle 24 by aligning the hole 68 of the fan bracket with the hole 70 of the coolant bottle 24 and inserting the fastener 46. The fan 22 is coupled to the radiator 20 by aligning the hole 72 on the fan bracket with the hole 74 on the radiator 20 and inserting the fastener 46. The holes 74 are located on the mounting arms 76 on both sides of the radiator 20. When the radiator 20, the radiator cover 26, the fan 22, and the coolant bottle 24 are coupled together, they form a single unit cooling assembly 14.

[0026]

[0033] Referring to FIG. 10, the radiator cover 26 wraps around the bottom of the coolant bottle 24. The radiator cover 26 protects the coolant bottle 24 from debris. The coolant bottle 24 is positioned in front of the front end of the engine's crankcase and in front of a portion of the power train assembly 12 such as the oil filter 78. The coolant bottle 24 is illustratively positioned adjacent to the lower end of the down tube 32. The shape of the coolant bottle 24 facilitates access to the oil filter 78.

[0027]

[0034] Example

[0028]

[0035] Example 1: The two-wheeler can include the following: a frame including a downtube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and a cooling assembly including a radiator and a radiator cover. The radiator cover can include a plurality of horizontal louvers and a plurality of vertical louvers.

[0029]

[0036] Example 2: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the vertical louvers are positioned at an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the vehicle center line.

[0030]

[0037] Example 3: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the radiator cover is coupled to the downtube and the radiator.

[0031]

[0038] Example 4: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the innermost vertical louver among the plurality of vertical louvers is separated by a plurality of horizontal louvers.

[0032]

[0039] Example 5: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the horizontal louvers are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the vertical louvers.

[0033]

[0040] Example 6: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the vertical louvers are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the horizontal louvers.

[0034]

[0041] Example 7: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the plurality of vertical louvers extend vertically from the bottom of the radiator cover to the interface with the horizontal louvers.

[0035]

[0042] Example 8: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the plurality of vertical louvers have recessed portions.

[0036]

[0043] Example 9: The two-wheeler according to Example 1, wherein the radiator cover and the radiator are coupled to the frame at the same location.

[0037]

[0044] Example 10: A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame including a down tube and a mounting arm on the down tube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly can include a radiator, a fan, a radiator cover, and a coolant bottle as a single structural unit.

[0038]

[0045] Example 11: The two-wheeled vehicle according to Example 10, wherein the radiator may be pivotally mounted to the down tube.

[0039]

[0046] Example 12: The two-wheeled vehicle according to Example 10, wherein the fan and the coolant bottle may be coupled to the radiator.

[0040]

[0047] Example 13: The cooling assembly according to Example 10, wherein all components are movable together with the radiator as a single structural unit relative to the frame.

[0041]

[0048] Example 14: The two-wheeled vehicle according to Example 10, wherein the radiator cover and the radiator are coupled to the frame at the same location.

[0042]

[0049] Example 15: A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame including a down tube and a mounting arm on the down tube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly can include a radiator, a fan, and a coolant bottle located below the radiator.

[0043]

[0050] Example 16: The two-wheeled vehicle according to Example 15, wherein the fan and the coolant bottle are coupled to the radiator.

[0044]

[0051] Example 17: The two-wheeled vehicle according to Example 15, wherein the fan, the coolant bottle, and the radiator are movable together relative to the frame.

[0045]

[0052] Embodiment 18: The motorcycle according to Embodiment 15, wherein the fan is located above the coolant bottle and behind the radiator. The fan is connectable to the coolant bottle and the radiator.

[0046]

[0053] Embodiment 19: The motorcycle according to Embodiment 15, wherein the cooling assembly is pivotally connectable to the frame.

[0047]

[0054] The present invention has been described as having an exemplary design, but the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary scope of the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A frame including a down tube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and a cooling assembly including a radiator and a radiator cover, wherein the two-wheeler, the radiator cover includes a plurality of horizontal louvers and a plurality of vertical louvers.

2. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the vertical louvers are positioned at an angle of at least 0 to 45 degrees from the vehicle center line.

3. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the radiator cover is coupled to the down tube and the radiator.

4. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the innermost vertical louver among the plurality of vertical louvers is separated by a plurality of horizontal louvers.

5. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal louvers are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the vertical louvers.

6. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the vertical louvers are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the horizontal louvers.

7. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical louvers extend vertically from the bottom of the radiator cover to the interface with the horizontal louvers.

8. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical louvers have recessed portions.

9. The two-wheeler according to claim 1, wherein the radiator cover and the radiator are coupled to the frame at the same location.

10. A frame including a down tube and a mounting arm on the down tube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, and a cooling assembly in which a radiator, a fan, a radiator cover, and a coolant bottle are integrated, wherein the two-wheeler is provided with the above components.

11. The two-wheeler according to claim 10, wherein the radiator is pivotally mounted on the down tube.

12. The two-wheeler according to claim 10, wherein the fan and the coolant bottle are coupled to the radiator.

13. The cooling assembly according to claim 10, wherein all components move together with the radiator as a single structural unit with respect to the frame.

14. The two-wheeler according to claim 10, wherein the radiator cover and the radiator are coupled to the frame at the same location.

15. A frame including a down tube and a mounting arm on the down tube, a plurality of ground engaging members for supporting the frame, A cooling assembly including a radiator, a fan, and a coolant bottle located below the radiator, A two-wheeled vehicle comprising the same.

16. The two-wheeled vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the fan and the coolant bottle are coupled to the radiator.

17. The two-wheeled vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the fan, the coolant bottle, and the radiator move together with respect to the frame.

18. The two-wheeled vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the fan is located behind the radiator above the coolant bottle, and the fan is coupled to the coolant bottle and the radiator.

19. The two-wheeled vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the cooling assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame.

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