Motorcycle with front side deflectors to reduce resistance to forward motion

Abstract

The saddle motorcycle comprises a fairing, to which there are applied a left deflector along the left side of the fairing, and a right deflector along the right side of the fairing. The left deflector forms with the left side of the fairing a left air-guiding channel. The right deflector forms with the right side of the fairing a right air-guiding channel. An inlet opening of the left air-guiding channel and an inlet opening of the right air-guiding channel face towards each other and both towards the median plane of the motorcycle.

Description

MOTORCYCLE WITH FRONT SIDE DEFLECTORS TO REDUCERESISTANCE TO FORWARD MOTIONDESCRIPTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motorcycles comprising at least one rear drive wheel and a single steered front wheel, arranged on a median plane of the motorcycle.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In order to improve the performance of motorbikes, or motorcycles, it is known to apply to the fairing of these vehicles, which covers at least part at least of the components of the vehicle, aerodynamic elements for various functions.

[0003] In particular, EP3546328 discloses a saddle vehicle with fairing, wherein in the front part, in proximity of the front edge of the two sides of the fairing, the latter is doubled and has (on each side) an outer fairing and an inner fairing. On each side of the vehicle, the outer fairing and the inner fairing form a respective flow channel that is open at the front part, in which during the advancement of the motorcycle, there penetrates an air stream due to the advancement motion. In the respective flow channels there are positioned wing profiles which interact with the air stream which moves in the channels in the front-rear direction. The wing profiles are shaped so as to increase the downforce, that is generate on the motorcycle a force directed towards the ground on which the motorcycle advances, to improve grip on the ground.

[0004] JP2012187974 discloses a motorcycle with a frame; a saddle constrained to the frame; at least one rear drive wheel and a single steered front wheel in symmetrical position with respect to a median plane of the motorcycle. Applied directly to the frame are a left deflector along the left side of the motorcycle and a left deflector along the right side of the motorcycle. Each deflector has an outer wall and an inner wall which form respective left and right air-guiding channels air. The inlet openings of the two air-guiding channels are oriented forward, that is in the advancement direction of the motorcycle.

[0005] JP2019147503 discloses a two-wheeled motorcycle, with a fairing. To the fairing there are applied two side deflectors. Each deflector defines, with the respective side of the fairing, an air-guiding channel, inside which there are arranged fins, which serve to generate a downforce effect, that is increase the grip of the motorcycle on the ground. The air-guiding channels have inlet openings oriented forward, that is in the advancement direction of the motorcycle.

[0006] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to improve the performance of a motorcycle reducing the resistance to forward motion thereof.SUMMARY

[0007] According to the invention, this object is obtained in a saddle-type motorcycle comprising: a frame to which the saddle is constrained; at least one rear drive wheel; a single steered front wheel in symmetrical position with respect to a median plane of the motorcycle; a steering assembly connected to the steered front wheel; a fairing in turn comprising a left side with a left front edge, a right side with a right front edge, a front opening between the left side and the right side, and arranged at the rear part of the steered front wheel with respect to the direction of motion of the motorcycle; a possible radiator positioned rearward of the front opening of the fairing and rearward of the steered front wheel, with respect to the direction of motion of the motorcycle.

[0008] Characteristically, to the fairing there are applied a left deflector along the left side of the fairing, and a right deflector along the right side of the fairing.

[0009] Characteristically, the left deflector forms with the left side of the fairing a left air-guiding channel. The right deflector forms with the right side of the fairing a right air-guiding channel. An inlet opening of the left air-guiding channel and an inlet opening of the right air-guiding channel face towards the median plane of the motorcycle and are oriented so as to face one another.

[0010] Further features and embodiments of the motorcycle are defined in the attached dependent claims and will be described below with reference to the to the attached drawings.

[0011] In the present description and in the attached claims, the expressions “front”and “rear” are used to indicate positions relative to the motion direction of the vehicle. The expressions “right” and “left” are used to indicate the sides on the right and on the left of a rider seated on the motorcycle in the riding position. The expression “vertical” is used to indicate a direction parallel to the direction of the force of gravity and the expression “horizontal” is used to indicate a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be clearer from the description and the attached drawings, which illustrate an embodiment provided by way of non-limiting example of the invention. More particularly, in the drawings:Fig.1 is an axonometric view of the rear of a motorcycle;Fig.2 is a side view of the motorcycle;Fig.3 is a front view of the motorcycle;Fig.4 is a section according to a horizontal plane of line IV-IV of Fig.3; and Fig.5 is a representation of the aerodynamic effect of the deflectors during the motion of the motorcycle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The motorcycle 1 comprises a frame 3, a saddle 4 mounted on the frame 3, a rear drive wheel 5 and a steered front wheel indicated with 7.

[0014] In the attached drawings, the arrows L and R indicate the left side and the right side of the motorcycle respectively. Indicated with F is the motion direction (advancement direction) and indicated with B is the direction opposite to the motion direction. Indicated with U and D are the upward direction and the downward direction of the motorcycle 1. Indicated with PM is a median plane, i.e., a centreline plane, of the motorcycle 1. When the motorcycle 1 is on a horizontal support surface and in an upright position, i.e., not rolled, the median plane PM is vertical. It is a symmetry plane of the motorcycle 1.

[0015] The motorcycle 1 comprises a steering assembly 9 for controlling the rotary movement of the steered wheel 7 around a steering axis A-A. When the motorcycle 1 is in an upright position and with a zero-steering angle, the median plane of the steeredfront wheel 7 is on the median plane PM, and the steering axis A-A is on the median plane PM.

[0016] The rotary movement of the steering assembly 9 is transmitted through a steering column 11 to which a fork 13 is connected which supports the steered front wheel 7. Shock absorbing suspensions are incorporated in the fork 13, not shown in detail, comprising an elastic element and a viscous element (shock absorber).

[0017] The motorcycle 1 comprises a fairing generally indicated with 15, which covers at least part of the components of the motorcycle and of the frame. The fairing 15 in particular comprises a left side 17.1 and a right side 17.2. The left side 17.1 comprises a left edge 19.1 and the right side 17.2 comprises a right front edge 19.2. Between the left front edge 19.1 and the right front edge 19.2 an opening 18 of the fairing 15 is provided, at which, or behind which (with respect to the advancement direction) a radiator 21 is arranged. The opening 18 and the radiator 21 are therefore positioned behind the steered front wheel 7 and the relative fork 13.

[0018] Characteristically, along a portion of the left front edge 19.1 of the left side17.1 of the fairing 15 there is applied a left deflector 23.1. Similarly, along a portion of the right front edge 19.2 of the right side 17.2 of the fairing 15 there is applied a right deflector 23.2. The left deflector 23.1 and the right deflector 23.2 are arranged in a mirror-like fashion with respect to the median plane PM of the motorcycle, Fig.3). Hereinafter, in some cases reference will also be made to a single deflector generally indicated with 23, this indistinctively defining the one or the other of the two right 23.2 and left 23.1 deflectors.

[0019] In some embodiments, each deflector 23.1, 23.2 is connected above and below the respective side 17.1, 17.2 of the fairing 15 by means of: a respective upper connection element indicated with 30.1 for the left side 17.1 and with 30.2 for the right side 17.2; and by means of a respective lower connection element indicated with 31.1 and with 31.2 for the left and right sides, respectively.

[0020] The left deflector 23.1 comprises a leading edge 25.1 and the right deflector23.2 comprises a leading edge 25.2. As shown in particular in the section of Fig.4, the leading edge 25 of each deflector 23 is in a more advanced position (with respect to the direction of motion, arrow F, of the motorcycle 1) with respect to the front edge 19of the respective side 17 of the fairing 15.

[0021] Between the front edge 19 of each side 17 of the fairing 15 and the respective leading edge 25 of the respective deflector 23 there is defined an inlet opening 26.1, 26.2 (respectively on the left side 17.1 and on the right side 17.2) of an air-guiding channel. Indicated with Cl is the air-guiding channel defined between the left side 17.1 of the fairing and left deflector 23.1. Indicated with C2 is the air-guiding channel defined between the right side 17.2 of the fairing and the right deflector 23.2.

[0022] The left deflector 23.1 and the right deflector 23.2 and the respective sides 17.1 and 17.2 of the fairing 15 are configured so that the inlet openings of the left guiding channel Cl and of the right guiding channel C2 are faced towards the median plane PM and therefore oriented towards each other, i.e., facing towards each other.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, each deflector 23 consists of a curved laminar component, that is a shaped or curved strip or wing. More particularly, each deflector23.1, 23.2 comprises a curved strip 29.1, 29.2 extending from the leading edge 25.1,25.2, to a trailing edge 27.1, 27.2, arranged laterally to the respective left side 17.1 and right side 17.2 of the fairing 15.

[0024] More specifically, the curved strip, i.e., the curved laminar component, extends from the respective leading edge 25.1, 25.2, arranged in an advanced position with respect to the front edge 19.1, 19.2 of the respective side 17.1, 17.2 of the fairing 15 with respect to the direction of motion F of the motorcycle 1, to the trailing edge 27.1, 27.2. In the figures, the trailing edge 27.1 of the left deflector 23.1 is shown. Each trailing edge 27.1, 27.2 is arranged laterally to the motorcycle 1 and at the rear to the front edge 19.1, 19.2 of the respective side 17.1, 17.2 of the fairing 15, with respect to the direction of motion F of the motorcycle 1.

[0025] During motion, the movement of the motorcycle 1 generates an overpressure of air in front of the radiator 21, or other component arranged in the same position. The overpressure generates an air flow along the front surface of the radiator 21 oriented towards the inlet opening 26.1, 26.2 of the two guiding channels Cl and C2. The air flow is then collected in the guiding channels and directed laterally to the motorcycle 1 with a main speed component parallel to the direction of motion of the motorcycle 1. This reduces the turbulence generated by the front surface 21, and / or any otherdevice or component arranged in the same position, and therefore reduces the coefficient of resistance to forward motion.

[0026] As observed in the attached drawings, in a top view (Fig.4) the left deflector23.1 is at least partly on a left side of the steered front wheel 7, and the right deflector23.2 is at least partly on a right side of the steered front wheel 7, when the steered front wheel forms a zero steering angle, as shown in the attached drawings. Therefore, in a top view, the inlet opening 26.1 of the left guiding channel Cl faces towards the left side of the steered front wheel 7, and the inlet opening 26.2 of the right guiding channel C2 faces towards the right side of the steered front wheel, when the steered front wheel forms a zero steering angle.

[0027] Furthermore, still in a top view (see. Fig.2) and in a side view (see. Fig.1 or Fig.2) the left deflector 23.1 and the right deflector 23.2 are positioned, at least in part, rearward of a suspension of the steered front wheel (incorporated in the fork 13) in the motion direction F of the motorcycle 1.

[0028] In some embodiments, each deflector 23.1, 23.2 develops upwards beyond the highest point of the steered front wheel 7, i.e., it extends up to a height H greater than the diameter D of the steered front wheel 7 (see. Fig.3). In detail, each deflector 23.1, 23.2 comprises an upper end, in the direction U, which extends above the overall dimensions of the steered front wheel 7. The upper end at the same time remains below the front portion 15.1 of the fairing 15, which defines the wheel cover of the steered front wheel 7.

[0029] In the shown embodiment, the upper end of each deflector 23.1, 23.2 is positioned at a height that is approximately intermediate between the maximum height of the mudguard 26 and the minimum height of the wheel cover arranged around steered front wheel 7.

[0030] In other embodiments, the deflectors may have a greater extension in the topbottom direction.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, each deflector 23.1, 23.2 is shaped so that, observing the motorcycle 1 frontally, an outlet opening 28.1, 28.2 of the air-guiding channel Cl, C2 is not visible through the inlet opening 26.1, 26.2 of the same air-guidingchannel Cl, C2.

[0032] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the trailing edge 27.1 27.2 of the deflector 23.1, 23.2 is positioned more externally with respect to the leading edge 25.1, 25.2 of the deflectors 23.1, 23.2. In other words, the distance of each trailing edge 27 from the median plane PM is greater than the distance of the respective leading edge25, with respect to the median plane PM.

[0033] In embodiments, observing the motorcycle 1 laterally, the deflector 23.1, 23.2 is arranged above the hub 32 of the front wheel 7 and beneath the front headlight 33.

[0034] Fig.5 shows the aerodynamic effect of the two deflectors 23.1, 23.2 and of the respective flow channels Cl, C2 defined between each deflector and the fairing of the motorcycle. Fig.5 shows the streamlines of the airflow which is formed laterally and at the rear with respect to the rider, downstream of the channels Cl, C2. It should be observed that the deflectors act on the field of motion reducing the wake and therefore improving the performance of the motorcycle.

Claims

Claims1. A motorcycle, comprising: a frame (3); a saddle (4) constrained to the frame (3); at least one rear drive wheel (5); a single steered front wheel (7) in a symmetrical position with respect to a median plane (PM) of the motorcycle (1); a steering assembly (9) connected to the steered front wheel (7); and a fairing (15) comprising: a left side (17.1) with a left front edge (19.1), a right side (17.2) with a right front edge (19.2), a front opening between the left side (17.1) and the right side (17.2), and arranged at the rear part of the steered front wheel (7) with respect to the direction of motion of the motorcycle; wherein to the fairing (15) there are applied a left deflector (23.1) along the left side (17.1) of the fairing (15) and a right deflector (23.2) along the right side (17.2) of the fairing (15); wherein the left deflector (23.1) forms with the left side (17.1) of the fairing (15) a left air-guiding channel (Cl); and wherein the right deflector (23.2) forms with the left side (17.2) of the fairing (15) a right air-guiding channel (C2); and wherein an inlet opening (26.1) of the left air-guiding channel (Cl) and an inlet opening (26.2) of the right air-guiding channel (C2) face towards the median plane (PM) of the motorcycle (1); and wherein the inlet opening (26.1) of the left air-guiding channel (Cl) and the inlet opening (26.2) of the right air-guiding channel (C2) face each other.

2. The motorcycle (1) of claim 1, further comprising a radiator (21) positioned behind the front opening of the fairing and behind the steered front wheel (7), with respect to the direction of motion of the motorcycle.

3. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left deflector (23.2) comprises a leading edge (25.1), arranged in a more advanced position with respect to the front edge (19.1) of the left side (17.1) of the fairing (15); and wherein the right deflector (23.2) comprises a leading edge (25.2), arranged in a more advanced position with respect to the front edge (19.2) of the right side (17.2) of the fairing, in the advancement direction (F) of the motorcycle.

4. The motorcycle (1) of claim 3, wherein each of said left deflector(23.1) and right deflector (23.2) comprises a curved strip (29.1; 29.2) extending from the leading edge (25.1; 25.2) to a trailing edge (27.1; 27.2), arranged laterally to the respective left side (17.1) and right side (17.2) of the fairing (15).

5. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a top view the left deflector (23.1) is at least partly on a left side of the steered front wheel (7), and the right deflector (23.2) is at least partly on a right side of the steered front wheel (7), when the steered front wheel forms a zero steering angle.

6. The motorcycle (1) of claim 5, wherein in a top view the inlet opening of the left air-guiding channel (Cl) faces towards the left side of the steered front wheel (7), and the inlet opening of the right air-guiding channel (C2) faces towards the right side of the steered front wheel (7), when the steered front wheel forms a zero steering angle.

7. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a side view the left deflector (23.1) and the right deflector (23.2) are at least partly in a position behind a suspension (13) of the steered front wheel (7), in the motion direction (F) of the motorcycle.

8. The motorcycle (1) of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the deflector (23.1; 23.2) is connected at the upper part and at the lower part to the respective side (17.1; 17.2) of the fairing (15) by means of a respective upper connection element (30.1; 30.2) and a respective lower connection element (31.1; 31.2); the air-guiding channel (Cl; C2) being defined by the curved strip (29.1; 29.2), by the side (17.1; 17.2) of the fairing (15) and by the upper and lower connection elements (30.1; 31.1; 30.2; 31.2).

9. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflector (23.1; 23.2) is shaped so that, observing the motorcycle (1) frontally, an outlet opening (28.1; 28.2) of the air-guiding channel (Cl; C2) is not visible through the inlet opening (26.1; 26.2) of the air-guiding channel (Cl; C2).

10. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trailing edge (27.1; 27.2) of each deflector (23.1; 23.2) is positioned more externally with respect to the leading edge (25.1; 25.2) of said deflector (23.1; 23.2).

11. The motorcycle (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, laterally observing the motorcycle (1), the deflector (23.1; 23.2), is arranged above a hub

Images