Saddle Riding Vehicle Catalyst Orientation and Cooling Inlet Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saddle riding vehicles with engines where the cylinder portion extends in the fore-aft direction face challenges in efficiently disposing a catalyst unit and cooling structure around the cylinder.
Innovation Solution
The coolant inlet portion is disposed in the lower surface of the cylinder head, adjacent to the exhaust pipe connection portion, with the catalyst unit oriented in the vehicle width direction, allowing efficient use of space below the cylinder for compact placement and avoiding interference with the coolant inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the catalyst unit is disposed below the cylinder portion, then space utilization is improved, but interference with the coolant inlet portion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst unit is oriented with its longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction rather than extending in the fore-aft direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the catalyst unit to be disposed below the cylinder portion without interfering with the coolant inlet portion, effectively utilizing vertical space while avoiding spatial conflict with cooling system components.
2Area of stationary object
If the coolant inlet portion is disposed in the lower surface of the cylinder head, then space efficiency is improved, but structural complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant inlet portion is integrated directly into the lower surface of the cylinder head, merging the coolant inlet function with the cylinder head structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate coolant inlet components and reduces the number of parts, thereby improving space efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the catalyst unit is disposed below the cylinder in the vehicle width direction, then space usage is optimized, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst unit is reoriented to extend in the vehicle width direction rather than the fore-aft direction, utilizing the vertical space below the cylinder more effectively. This dimensional change optimizes space usage while maintaining a straightforward manufacturing approach, as the catalyst unit remains a standard component that can be installed in this reoriented configuration without complex assembly procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient disposal of the catalyst unit and coolant inlet portion below the cylinder, optimizing space usage and simplifying the engine structure while ensuring effective cooling and catalyst placement.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling structure that cools the engine by water
Implementation Method 2
a coolant inlet portion that is formed in the lower surface of the cylinder head and that serves as an inlet for the coolant to enter the cylinder portion
Implementation Method 3
a catalyst unit that purifies exhaust gas is disposed in an engine exhaust pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To enable a catalyst unit and a cooling structure to be efficiently disposed in a saddle riding vehicle in which a cylinder portion of an engine extends in a fore-aft direction in a side view. [Solving Means] A saddle riding vehicle includes: a water-cooled engine 13 that includes a cylinder portion 44 including a cylinder 45 and a cylinder head 46, the cylinder portion 44 having a cylinder axis 44a extending in a vehicle fore-aft direction in a side view; an exhaust pipe 77 connected with the cylinder portion 44; and a catalyst unit 121 included in the exhaust pipe 77. In the saddle riding vehicle, the catalyst unit 121 is disposed inferior to the cylinder portion 44, the cylinder portion 44 includes a coolant inlet portion 85 that is formed in a lower surface 46a thereof and that serves as an inlet for coolant to enter the cylinder portion 44, and the coolant inlet portion 85 is disposed offset in the vehicle fore-aft direction with respect to the catalyst unit 121.