Radiator fan

Abstract

To maintain cooling performance of a radiator fan while suppressing a heat damage to a rider.SOLUTION: A radiator fan (50) introduces the outside air into a radiator (30) in front of an engine. The radiator fan is provided with: a propeller arranged behind the radiator; a fan motor (52) configured to rotatably drive the propeller; and a fan shroud (54) covering the propeller from behind. A plurality of hoods (61a to 61m) with discharge ports facing in any direction in a range from a horizontal direction to a lower direction are formed at the fan shroud.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator fan. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a radiator is disposed in front of an engine in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle. A radiator fan of this type of radiator is known that has a fan shroud at the rear (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The propeller of the radiator fan described in Patent Document 1 is covered from the rear by the fan shroud, and an opening is formed on the underside of the fan shroud that directs the exhaust air downward. The exhaust air that passes through the radiator core is blown out below the vehicle from the opening in the fan shroud, thereby preventing thermal damage to the rider caused by the exhaust air from the radiator fan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5829907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the propeller of the radiator fan described in Patent Document 1 is covered from the rear by a fan shroud, it becomes difficult for the wind generated by the vehicle and the exhaust air from the propeller to escape from the radiator core, which causes a problem in that the cooling performance of the radiator deteriorates. Although it is possible to improve the escape of the wind generated by the vehicle and the exhaust air by forming holes in the fan shroud, considering the thermal damage to the rider, the locations where the holes can be formed in the fan shroud are limited, and no significant improvement can be expected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a radiator fan that can maintain cooling performance while suppressing heat damage to the rider. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A radiator fan according to one aspect of the present invention is a radiator fan that introduces outside air into a radiator in front of an engine, and includes a propeller disposed behind the radiator, a fan motor that drives and rotates the propeller, and a fan shroud that covers the propeller from the rear. The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods with exhaust ports facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction. Among the plurality of hoods, the exhaust port of the hood above the rotation center of the propeller is directed toward the fan motor. This solves the above problem. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the radiator fan of one aspect of the present invention, the propeller is covered from the rear by a fan shroud, but since the fan shroud is formed with multiple hoods, it is not difficult for the running wind and the propeller exhaust air to escape. Also, since the exhaust port of the hood is oriented in any direction within a range from the side to the downward direction, the hot air that passes through the radiator core is unlikely to be directed toward the rider behind the engine. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cooling performance of the radiator fan while suppressing heat damage to the rider. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the front part of the saddle-type vehicle of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the radiator and the radiator fan of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the radiator and the radiator fan of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the radiator and the radiator fan of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the periphery of the engine according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of the periphery of the engine according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A radiator fan according to one aspect of the present invention introduces outside air into a radiator in front of an engine. The propeller of the radiator fan is disposed behind the radiator. The propeller is driven to rotate by a fan motor, and is covered from the rear by a fan shroud. The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods with exhaust ports facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction. Although the propeller is covered from the rear by the fan shroud, the fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods, so that the running wind and the exhaust air of the propeller do not become difficult to escape. In addition, since the exhaust ports of the hoods face in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction, the hot air that has passed through the radiator core is unlikely to be directed toward the rider behind the engine. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cooling performance of the radiator fan while suppressing heat damage to the rider. EXAMPLES

[0010] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a left side view of the front part of the saddle riding type vehicle of the present embodiment. In the following drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, the arrow RE indicates the rear of the vehicle, the arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and the arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a saddle-type vehicle 1 is configured by mounting various parts such as an engine 20 and an electrical system on a diamond-shaped body frame 10 formed of pipes and sheet metal. The body frame 10 has a pair of main frames 12 branching off to the left and right from a head pipe 11 and extending rearward, and a pair of down frames 13 branching off to the left and right from the head pipe 11 and extending downward. A pair of front forks 16 are steerably supported on the head pipe 11 via a steering shaft (not shown), and a front wheel 17 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front forks 16.

[0012] The front portion of the main frame 12 forms a tank rail 14 located above the engine 20, and a fuel tank 18 is supported from below by the tank rail 14. The rear portion of the main frame 12 forms a body frame 15 located behind the engine 20, and a rear wheel (not shown) is supported on the lower half of the body frame 15 via a swing arm (not shown). The rear portion of the engine 20 is supported by the pair of main frames 12, and the front portion of the engine 20 is supported by the pair of down frames 13. Supporting the engine 20 on the body frame 10 ensures the rigidity of the entire vehicle.

[0013] The engine 20 has a crankcase 21 with an upper and lower split structure. A cylinder 22, a cylinder head 23, and a cylinder head cover 24 are attached to the upper part of the crankcase 21. A magneto cover 25 that covers a magneto (not shown) from the side is attached to the left side of the crankcase 21. A clutch cover 26 (see FIG. 6) that covers a clutch (not shown) from the side is attached to the right side of the crankcase 21. An oil pan 27 in which oil is stored is attached to the lower part of the crankcase 21. A pair of exhaust pipes 28 extend downward from the front surface of the cylinder head 23.

[0014] A radiator 30 is disposed below the head pipe 11 and in front of the cylinder head 23 of the engine 20. Cooling water heated inside the engine 20 is sent to the radiator 30, and heat is exchanged between the cooling water flowing through the radiator 30 and the airflow passing through the radiator 30. A radiator fan 50 is provided on the rear side of the radiator 30 to introduce outside air into the radiator 30. When the cooling water exceeds a predetermined temperature while the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed, the radiator fan 50 is driven to rotate and outside air is sent into the radiator 30, forcibly cooling the cooling water in the radiator 30.

[0015] Incidentally, the radiator fan 50 is provided with a fan shroud 54 that suppresses heat damage to the rider caused by exhaust air. If the radiator fan 50 is completely covered from the rear by the fan shroud 54, the escape of the running wind and the propeller exhaust air is impaired, and the cooling performance of the radiator fan 50 is reduced. Also, if the radiator fan 50 is brought closer to the exhaust pipe 28, the motor performance of the radiator fan 50 is deteriorated due to the heat of the exhaust pipe 28. If the radiator fan 50 is moved away from the exhaust pipe 28, pebbles kicked up by the front wheel 17 may get in through the gap between the radiator fan 50 and the exhaust pipe 28, causing the fan to lock up.

[0016] Therefore, the fan shroud 54 of this embodiment is formed with multiple hoods 61 (see FIG. 2) with exhaust ports facing downward and sideways. The multiple hoods 61 of the fan shroud 54 improve the escape of the running wind and the propeller exhaust air while suppressing heat damage to the rider. In addition, the motor of the radiator fan 50 is cooled by using the running wind and the propeller exhaust air from the exhaust ports of some of the hoods 61. The motor performance is maintained even if the radiator fan 50 and the exhaust pipe 28 are brought close to each other. By narrowing the gap between the radiator fan 50 and the exhaust pipe 28, it becomes difficult for small stones kicked up by the front wheel 17 to enter the radiator fan 50.

[0017] The radiator and the radiator fan will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a rear view of the radiator and the radiator fan of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a left side view of the radiator and the radiator fan of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the radiator and the radiator fan of this embodiment.

[0018] 2 to 4, the radiator 30 includes a rectangular plate-shaped radiator core 31, a left side tank 32 provided on the left side of the radiator core 31, and a right side tank 33 provided on the right side of the radiator core 31. The radiator core 31 has a number of water tubes (not shown) connecting the left side tank 32 and the right side tank 33, and a number of heat dissipation fins (not shown) intersecting the many water tubes. A pair of upper stays 34 on the left and right sides extend upward from the top surface of the radiator core 31, and a single lower stay 35 protrudes from the bottom surface of the radiator 30.

[0019] The left side tank 32 extends along the left edge of the radiator core 31, and an inlet pipe 36 is provided on the rear surface of the left side tank 32. The inlet pipe 36 is connected to the engine 20 (see FIG. 1) via an inlet hose (not shown), and cooling water is sent from the engine 20 to the left side tank 32. The right side tank 33 extends along the right edge of the radiator core 31, and an outlet pipe 37 is provided on the rear surface of the right side tank 33. The outlet pipe 37 is connected to the engine 20 via an outlet hose (not shown), and cooling water is sent from the right side tank 33 to the engine 20.

[0020] A coolant inlet is formed on the top surface of the right side tank 33, and a radiator cap 38 is attached to the inlet. Coolant flows from the left side tank 32 to the right side tank 33, and outside air passes from the front to the rear of the radiator core 31, thereby exchanging heat between the coolant and the outside air. When the vehicle is traveling at high speed, wind passes through the radiator core 31, and the radiator 30 dissipates heat due to the wind. When the vehicle is stopped or traveling at low speed, the radiator fan 50 on the rear side of the radiator 30 operates, and the outside air introduced by the radiator fan 50 dissipates heat from the radiator 30.

[0021] The radiator fan 50 is an axial flow propeller fan, and a propeller 51 is disposed behind the radiator 30. Here, the shape of the propeller 51 is simplified, but in reality the propeller 51 has a number of blades arranged in the circumferential direction. The center of the propeller 51 is connected to the output shaft of a fan motor 52, and the propeller 51 is driven to rotate by the fan motor 52. The fan motor 52 is formed in a flat shape, and the thickness of the radiator fan 50 in the front-to-rear direction is reduced. The fan motor 52 is attached to the radiator 30 by a fan shroud 54 made of resin.

[0022] The fan shroud 54 is located at the center of the back surface of the radiator 30. The upper half of the fan shroud 54 is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the rear, and covers the rear and outer periphery of the propeller 51. The lower half of the fan shroud 54 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear, and covers the rear and lower center of the propeller 51. In other words, both the left and right sides of the lower half of the fan shroud 54 are open except for the side surfaces and center. The center of the rear surface of the fan shroud 54 is cut out, and the fan motor 52 is exposed from this cutout 55.

[0023] A pair of upper fan stays 56 protrude from two locations, left and right, on the upper part of fan shroud 54, and a lower fan stay 57 protrudes from one location in the center of the lower part of fan shroud 54. The pair of upper fan stays 56 are screwed to bracket 41 hanging rearward from the upper surface of radiator core 31, and the lower fan stay 57 is screwed to bracket 42 hanging rearward from the lower surface of radiator core 31. Mounting portions 58 are provided at three locations on the periphery of notch 55 on the rear surface of fan shroud 54, and fan motor 52 is attached to fan shroud 54 by these three mounting portions 58.

[0024] A plurality of hoods 61a-61m are formed around the notch 55 of the fan shroud 54. In order to arrange as many hoods 61a-61m as possible on the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, the plurality of hoods 61a-61m are formed in various sizes, large and small, depending on the arrangement location. By arranging the plurality of hoods 61a-61m so as to fill the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, a sufficient opening area is ensured in the fan shroud 54 by the exhaust ports of the plurality of hoods 61a-61m. Since the fan shroud 54 has a sufficient opening area, the running wind and the exhaust wind of the propeller 51 do not become difficult to pass through the fan shroud 54.

[0025] The exhaust ports 62 of the multiple hoods 61a-61m are directed in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction. The hoods 61a-61e are arranged above the rotation center O of the propeller 51, and the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a-61e are directed diagonally downward to the right. The hoods 61f-61k are arranged below the rotation center O of the propeller 51, and the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61f-61k are directed diagonally downward to the left. The hood 61l is arranged to the right of the rotation center O of the propeller 51, and the exhaust ports 62 of the hood 61l are directed to the right. The hood 61m is arranged to the left of the rotation center O of the propeller 51, and the exhaust ports 62 of the hood 61m are directed to the left.

[0026] The rotation direction D of the propeller 51 is counterclockwise, and the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 does not coincide with the exhaust direction from the exhaust ports 62 of the multiple hoods 61a-61m. For example, at the 12 o'clock position, the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 is leftward, and the exhaust direction of the hood 61c is diagonally downward to the right. At the 1 to 2 o'clock positions, the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 is diagonally upward to the left, and the exhaust directions of the hoods 61d and 61e are diagonally downward to the right. At the 3 o'clock position, the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 is upward, and the exhaust direction of the hood 61l is to the right. At other positions, the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 and the exhaust directions of the multiple hoods 61a-61m cross or are opposite to each other.

[0027] In this way, the direction of the exhaust air from the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a-61m is directed downward or to the side of the vehicle, not toward the rear or upward of the vehicle, so that the hot air that has passed through the radiator 30 is less likely to be directed toward the rider behind the engine 20 (see FIG. 1). In addition, since the rotation direction D of the propeller 51 and the exhaust direction of the hoods 61a-61m differ, the force of the exhaust air from the propeller 51 hits the inner surface of the hoods 61a-61m and blows out from the exhaust ports 62 drops, so that heat damage to the rider can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if the fan shroud 54 is provided on the radiator 30, it is not difficult for the running wind and the exhaust air from the propeller 51 to escape.

[0028] The hoods 61a, 61b are disposed above the rotation center O of the propeller 51 and diagonally upward and leftward with respect to the fan motor 52. The exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a, 61b are directed diagonally downward and rightward, and the fan motor 52 is disposed at the destination of the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a, 61b. Since the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a, 61b are directed toward the fan motor 52, the running wind or the exhaust wind of the propeller 51 is blown from the hoods 61a, 61b to the fan motor 52, thereby cooling the fan motor 52. Even if the radiator fan 50 is brought close to the exhaust pipe 28 (see FIG. 1), deterioration of the function of the fan motor 52 due to hot air from the exhaust pipe 28 is prevented.

[0029] The hoods 61f-61i are disposed below the rotation center O of the propeller 51 and diagonally upward to the right with respect to the pair of exhaust pipes 28. The exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61f-61i are directed diagonally downward to the left, and the pair of exhaust pipes 28 are disposed at the exhaust destination of the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61f-61i. Since the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61f-61i are directed toward the pair of exhaust pipes 28, the running wind or the exhaust wind of the propeller 51 is blown from the hoods 61f-61i to the pair of exhaust pipes 28, thereby cooling the pair of exhaust pipes 28. Thermal damage to the fan motor 52 due to hot air from the pair of exhaust pipes 28 is suppressed, and the radiator fan 50 can be brought closer to the pair of exhaust pipes 28.

[0030] The hoods 61a-61m bulge rearward from the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, and the amount by which the hoods 61a-61m bulge from the rear surface of the fan shroud 54 is approximately equal to the amount by which the fan motor 52 bulges from the rear surface of the fan shroud 54. Even if the hoods 61a-61m are formed on the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, the existing layout is not disrupted. Furthermore, the lead wires 53 extend from the side surfaces of the fan motor 52, and the hoods 61a, 61b are formed with holding portions 63 that hold the lead wires 53 of the fan motor 52. The holding portions 63 are formed by partially recessing the hoods 61a, 61b.

[0031] Because the center of the lower part of the fan shroud 54 is not open, the lower part of the fan shroud 54 blocks hot air from the pair of exhaust pipes 28, suppressing heat damage to the radiator fan 50. The lower part of the fan shroud 54 is formed with a pair of concave surfaces 64 that avoid the pair of exhaust pipes 28. The pair of concave surfaces 64 face the pair of exhaust pipes 28, and the pair of concave surfaces 64 ensure a sufficient opposing distance between the fan shroud 54 and the pair of exhaust pipes 28. This reduces the distance between the fan shroud 54 and the pair of exhaust pipes 28, improving the freedom of vehicle layout.

[0032] The flow of exhaust air from the radiator fan will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a side view of the periphery of the engine in this embodiment. Figure 6 is a top view of the periphery of the engine in this embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the radiator 30 is provided with a pair of upper stays 34 and a single lower stay 35. The pair of upper stays 34 are supported on the body frame 10 (see Figure 1) via a pair of frame brackets 45 (see Figure 1), and the lower stay 35 is supported on the cylinder 22 via an engine bracket 46. The upper stay 34 and the frame bracket 45 are connected via a rubber cushion, and the lower stay 35 and the engine bracket 46 are connected via a rubber cushion. The rubber cushion provides floating support for the radiator 30 on the body frame 10 and the engine 20.

[0034] A pair of exhaust pipes 28 extend downward from the front surface of the cylinder head 23, and a radiator 30 is located above the pair of exhaust pipes 28 in front of the engine 20. A wide front-to-rear space is secured between the radiator 30 and the engine 20 so that exhaust air can easily flow from the radiator 30. A radiator fan 50 is attached to the rear surface of the radiator 30, and is located in a space surrounded by the radiator 30, the engine 20, and the pair of exhaust pipes 28. In a top view, the radiator fan 50 is located in the center of the radiator 30, and an upper portion of the radiator fan 50 is located above the cylinder head 23 in a side view.

[0035] The radiator fan 50 is provided with a fan shroud 54 to prevent thermal damage to the rider due to the exhaust air of the propeller 51. As described above, the hoods 61a-61m are formed on the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, so the fan shroud 54 does not make it difficult for the running wind and the exhaust air of the propeller 51 to escape. Since the wind is exhausted diagonally downward and to the side from the hoods 61a-61m, thermal damage to the rider behind the engine 20 is suppressed even if the running wind and the exhaust air of the propeller 51 escape through the fan shroud 54. Compared to a configuration in which a wind guide plate or the like is provided, the number of parts is reduced, resulting in reduced costs.

[0036] The radiator fan 50 uses a component that is not highly heat resistant, such as the fan motor 52. For this reason, normally, there is a restriction on the vehicle layout to ensure sufficient clearance between the radiator fan 50 and the pair of exhaust pipes 28. As described above, the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a and 61b are directed toward the fan motor 52, and the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61f-61i are directed toward the pair of exhaust pipes 28. The fan motor 52 is cooled by the exhaust air from the hoods 61a and 61b, and the pair of exhaust pipes 28 is cooled by the exhaust air from the hoods 61f-61i. Therefore, the radiator fan 50 is brought closer to the pair of exhaust pipes 28, improving the degree of freedom of the vehicle layout.

[0037] The lower part of the fan shroud 54, which is wider than the motor width, is interposed between the pair of exhaust pipes 28 and the radiator 30, and a pair of concave surfaces 64 for excluding the exhaust pipes is formed on the lower part of the fan shroud 54. The curved parts of the pair of exhaust pipes 28 face the pair of concave surfaces 64, and the distance between the pair of concave surfaces 64 and the curved parts of the pair of exhaust pipes 28 is shortened. The lower part of the fan shroud 54 blocks heat from the pair of exhaust pipes 28, and the lower part of the fan shroud 54 and the pair of exhaust pipes 28 act as a wall to protect the radiator fan 50 from pebbles kicked up from the ground. Pebbles are less likely to get stuck between the propeller 51 and the fan motor 52, and locking of the propeller 51 is suppressed.

[0038] The hoods 61f-61k are disposed on the fan shroud 54 below the center of rotation O (see FIG. 2) of the propeller 51, and the hoods 61f-61k are positioned between the fan motor 52 and the pair of exhaust pipes 28. As described above, the amount of projection of the hoods 61f-61k from the rear surface of the fan shroud 54 is approximately equal to the amount of projection of the fan motor 52 from the rear surface of the fan shroud 54, and the hoods 61f-61k function as a heat shield against hot air flowing from the pair of exhaust pipes 28 toward the fan motor 52. The hoods 61f-61k block heat from the pair of exhaust pipes 28, suppressing thermal damage to the fan motor 52.

[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, the propeller 51 is covered from the rear by the fan shroud 54, but since the fan shroud 54 is formed with a plurality of hoods 61a-61m, it is possible to prevent the running wind and the exhaust air of the propeller 51 from being difficult to escape. In addition, since the exhaust ports 62 of the hoods 61a-61m are oriented in any direction within a range from the side to the downward direction, the hot air that has passed through the radiator core 31 is less likely to be directed toward the rider behind the engine 20. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cooling performance of the radiator fan 50 while suppressing heat damage to the rider.

[0040] In this embodiment, a two-cylinder engine is exemplified as the engine, but the type of engine is not particularly limited.

[0041] In this embodiment, the fan shroud is provided with multiple hoods that cannot be opened or closed, but the fan shroud may be provided with multiple hoods that can be opened or closed. In this case, the multiple hoods are provided with return springs, and the multiple hoods are opened or closed depending on the magnitude of the wind pressure acting on the multiple hoods. The multiple hoods are closed by the wind pressure driven by the propeller, and when the vehicle speed reaches a certain vehicle speed that is equal to or higher than the wind pressure of the propeller drive, the hoods are opened by the wind pressure of the traveling wind. Even if the propeller is driven in the absence of traveling wind, the hoods are closed, reducing thermal damage to the rider, and the radiator can be cooled more by opening the hoods by the wind pressure of the traveling wind. Even if the propeller is driven in the presence of a certain traveling wind, the propeller exhaust air heat is softened by the traveling wind, making it difficult for the rider to feel the heat.

[0042] Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of hoods are formed on the rear surface of the fan shroud, but a plurality of hoods may be formed on the side surface of the fan shroud.

[0043] Further, in this embodiment, no particular description is given of the fittings of a saddle-type vehicle, but the fittings may be formed with an air guide shape that directs the running wind or exhaust wind toward the fan motor.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, the hood exhaust port above the propeller's center of rotation is directed toward the fan motor, but these hood exhaust ports may be directed in any direction between the side and downward, and do not have to be directed toward the fan motor.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, the exhaust ports of the hood below the center of rotation of the propeller are directed toward the exhaust pipe, but these hood exhaust ports may be directed in any direction between the side and downward, and do not have to be directed toward the exhaust pipe.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the upper half of the fan shroud is semicircular when viewed from the rear, and the lower half of the fan shroud is rectangular when viewed from the rear, but the shape of the fan shroud is not particularly limited as long as the fan shroud is formed so as to cover at least the propeller from the rear.

[0047] Furthermore, the orientation of the exhaust ports of the multiple hoods in this embodiment is merely an example, and the exhaust ports of the multiple hoods may be oriented in any direction within a range from the side to the downward direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, the amount of projection of the multiple hoods from the rear surface of the fan shroud is approximately equal to the amount of projection of the fan motor from the rear surface of the fan shroud, but the amount of projection of the multiple hoods is not particularly limited. In order not to disrupt the existing vehicle layout, it is preferable that the amount of projection of the multiple hoods from the rear surface of the fan shroud be kept equal to or less than the amount of projection of the fan motor from the rear surface of the fan shroud.

[0049] The radiator fan is not limited to the illustrated saddle-ride vehicle, and may be used in other types of saddle-ride vehicles. A saddle-ride vehicle is not limited to all vehicles on which a rider sits astride a seat, but also includes small scooter-type vehicles on which a rider does not sit astride a seat.

[0050] As described above, the radiator fan (50) of this embodiment is a radiator fan that introduces outside air into the radiator (30) in front of the engine (20), and includes a propeller (51) disposed behind the radiator, a fan motor (52) that drives and rotates the propeller, and a fan shroud (54) that covers the propeller from the rear. The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods (61a-61m) with exhaust ports (62) facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction. According to this configuration, the propeller is covered from the rear by the fan shroud, but since the fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods, it is not difficult for the running wind and the exhaust air of the propeller to escape. In addition, since the exhaust ports of the hoods face in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction, the hot air that has passed through the radiator core is unlikely to head toward the rider behind the engine. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cooling performance of the radiator fan while suppressing heat damage to the rider.

[0051] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, the exhaust port of the hood that is above the rotation center of the propeller faces the fan motor. With this configuration, the wind generated by the vehicle or the exhaust air from the propeller is blown from the hood to the fan motor, cooling the fan motor and preventing a decrease in the performance of the fan motor due to heat. This alleviates restrictions on the vehicle layout of the fan motor due to heat damage, and allows the radiator fan to be closer to a heat source such as an exhaust pipe.

[0052] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, the exhaust port of the hood below the center of rotation of the propeller faces the exhaust pipe (28) extending from the engine. With this configuration, the running wind or the propeller exhaust air is blown from the hood to the exhaust pipe, cooling the exhaust pipe and suppressing thermal damage to the fan motor. The constraints on the vehicle layout of the fan motor due to thermal damage are alleviated, and the radiator fan can be brought closer to a heat source such as the exhaust pipe.

[0053] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, the lower part of the fan shroud is interposed between the exhaust pipe extending from the engine and the radiator, and the lower part of the fan shroud is formed with a concave surface (64) that avoids the exhaust pipe. With this configuration, the lower part of the fan shroud blocks heat from the exhaust pipe, suppressing heat damage to the radiator fan. By forming a concave surface on the fan shroud, the distance between the fan shroud and the exhaust pipe can be shortened.

[0054] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, the direction of the exhaust air from the exhaust ports of the multiple hoods does not coincide with the rotation direction of the propeller. With this configuration, when the propeller is driven, the exhaust air hits the inner surface of the hood, reducing its momentum, thereby suppressing thermal damage to the rider.

[0055] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, the multiple hoods bulge rearward from the rear surface of the fan shroud, and the amount by which the multiple hoods bulge from the rear surface of the fan shroud is kept equal to or less than the amount by which the fan motor bulges from the rear surface of the fan shroud. With this configuration, even if multiple hoods are formed on the rear surface of the fan shroud, the existing vehicle layout is not disrupted.

[0056] In the radiator fan of this embodiment, among the multiple hoods, the hood below the rotation center of the propeller is positioned between the fan motor and the exhaust pipe extending from the engine. With this configuration, the hood functions as a heat shield, thereby suppressing thermal damage to the fan motor from the exhaust pipe.

[0057] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be made by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0058] In addition, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and may be modified, substituted, or altered in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to the progress of technology or a different technology derived therefrom, the invention may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may be included within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 20: Engine 28: Exhaust pipe 30: Radiator 50: Radiator fan 51: Propeller 52: Fan motor 54: Fan shroud 61a-61m: Food 62:Exhaust port 64: Concave

Claims

1. A radiator fan that introduces outside air into a radiator in front of the engine, a propeller disposed rearward of the radiator; A fan motor that drives and rotates the propeller; a fan shroud covering the propeller from the rear, The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods each having an exhaust port facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction, A radiator fan, characterized in that an exhaust port of a hood above a rotation center of the propeller among the plurality of hoods is directed toward the fan motor.

2. A radiator fan that introduces outside air into a radiator in front of the engine, a propeller disposed rearward of the radiator; A fan motor that drives and rotates the propeller; a fan shroud covering the propeller from the rear, The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods each having an exhaust port facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction, A radiator fan, characterized in that an exhaust port of one of the plurality of hoods that is below the center of rotation of the propeller is directed toward an exhaust pipe extending from the engine.

3. A radiator fan that introduces outside air into a radiator in front of the engine, a propeller disposed rearward of the radiator; A fan motor that drives and rotates the propeller; a fan shroud covering the propeller from the rear, The fan shroud is formed with a plurality of hoods each having an exhaust port facing in any direction within a range from the lateral direction to the downward direction, A radiator fan, characterized in that a lower portion of the fan shroud is interposed between an exhaust pipe extending from the engine and the radiator, and a concave surface is formed on the lower portion of the fan shroud to avoid the exhaust pipe.

4. 4. The radiator fan according to claim 1, wherein the direction of air discharged from the air discharge ports of the plurality of hoods does not coincide with the direction of rotation of the propeller.

5. The plurality of hoods bulge rearward from a rear surface of the fan shroud, 5. The radiator fan according to claim 1, wherein the amount of projection of the plurality of hoods from the rear surface of the fan shroud is kept equal to or less than the amount of projection of the fan motor from the rear surface of the fan shroud.

6. 6. The radiator fan according to claim 5, wherein among the plurality of hoods, a hood below a rotation center of the propeller is positioned between the fan motor and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine.

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