Straddle-Type Vehicle Fan Case Closure Section for Radiator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Straddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges in enhancing the cooling ability of their heat exchanger units, particularly when positioned on the side of the vehicle, as they are less likely to receive beneficial wind flow compared to front-mounted units, leading to reduced cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fan case with a closure section that securely fits around the heat exchanger, ensuring outside air is directed more reliably to the radiator core, enhancing airflow and cooling performance by minimizing gaps and using materials like urethane for the closure section to prevent damage and improve adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fan case is fixed at a predetermined distance from the heat exchanger for ease of installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the cooling ability deteriorates due to air leakage through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible closure section made of elastic material (urethane) that forms a seal between the fan case and heat exchanger. This flexible sealing element fills the gap between the two components, preventing air leakage while maintaining the predetermined distance for ease of installation. The elastic material deforms to conform to the mating surfaces, creating an effective seal without requiring precise machining or tight tolerances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heat exchanger unit is positioned on the side of the vehicle for space arrangement, then the adaptability is improved, but the cooling ability deteriorates due to reduced wind flow
Solution Approach 1:
The closure section acts as an intermediary component that redirects and channels air flow from the fan directly onto the heat exchanger core. By sealing the gap between the fan case and heat exchanger, it ensures that air drawn in by the fan is forced through the heat exchanger rather than leaking around it, thereby maintaining effective cooling even when the unit is positioned on the side of the vehicle where natural wind flow is reduced.
3Strength
If the closure section is made of urethane material to prevent damage and improve adhesion, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using urethane material for the closure section, which provides superior adhesion to both the fan case and heat exchanger surfaces, as well as resistance to thermal degradation and mechanical damage. While urethane may increase material cost, the design compensates by using a simple geometric form that minimizes manufacturing complexity. The material's inherent flexibility and bonding properties reduce the need for additional fastening mechanisms or 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 significantly improves the cooling ability of the heat exchanger unit by ensuring consistent airflow to the radiator core, even when positioned on the side of the vehicle, where wind flow is limited, while protecting the radiator from damage and maintaining adhesion under high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a fan (92) that is disposed to face the radiator core (61) and takes or draws in the outside air (F)
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger (60) having a plate-shaped radiator core (61) that contacts the outside air (F)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A straddle-type vehicle (10) includes a radiator (60) including a plate-shaped radiator core (61) that contacts outside air, a fan (92) that is disposed to face the radiator core (61) and takes in outside air, and a fan case (30) that covers the fan (92) and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the radiator (60). An opening (31) that faces the radiator core (61) is formed in the fan case (30). The fan case (30) includes an edge section (32) that surrounds an outer edge of the opening (31), and a closure section (50) that closes a gap between the edge section (32) and the radiator (60).