Front Fork Rectifier Layout for Motorcycle Radiator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straddled vehicles face challenges in efficiently guiding airflow to the radiator located behind the front fork, leading to decreased cooling performance due to airflow disturbances caused by the outer tube of the front fork.
Innovation Solution
A rectifier member is attached to the outer tube of the front fork, specifically designed to rectify airflow and guide it to the radiator, with a streamlined shape and dimensions that minimize interference with the front fork's contraction and expansion, and are shaped to direct airflow evenly to the radiator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radiator is arranged directly behind the outer tube of the front fork, then the vehicle structure is compact and space is efficiently utilized, but the outer tube disturbs the rearward airflow, decreasing the cooling performance of the radiator
Solution Approach 1:
A rectifier member is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer tube and the radiator. This rectifier member has a streamlined shape that guides the rearward airflow smoothly around the outer tube, preventing turbulence and ensuring consistent airflow reaches the radiator, thereby resolving the conflict between compact arrangement and cooling performance
2Temperature
If a rectifier member is added to guide airflow to the radiator, then cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifier member employs streamlined shape parameters and specific dimensional ratios (length, width, height) that are optimized to minimize airflow disturbance. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the rectifier achieves effective flow guidance while keeping the component size compact and the overall structure relatively simple
3Temperature
If the rectifier member is made larger to improve airflow guidance, then cooling performance increases, but the rectifier member interferes with the elongation and contraction of the front fork
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifier member is designed with dynamic considerations, allowing it to accommodate the elongation and contraction movements of the front fork. Its streamlined shape and strategically positioned dimensions enable it to maintain effective airflow guidance throughout the range of motion, preventing interference with front fork dynamics while sustaining cooling performance
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
The rectifier member effectively improves the cooling performance of the radiator by reducing airflow disturbances and ensuring consistent airflow guidance, enhancing the cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the rectifier member is provided on a portion of the outer tube that is upward of the front wheel and downward of the bottom bridge. Therefore, with the rectifier member, it is possible to rectify the airflow, thereby desirably guiding the air to the radiator
Implementation Method 2
The engine and other parts are cooled by the air
Implementation Method 3
a radiator arranged rearward of the front fork
Data Source
AI summary
A straddled vehicle including: a vehicle body frame having a head pipe and a down frame extending downward and rearward from the head pipe; a steering shaft rotatably inserted in the head pipe; a front fork linked to the steering shaft, the front fork including an outer tube and an inner tube that is slidably inserted in the outer tube; a bottom bridge linking the front fork and a portion of the steering shaft that is downward relative to the head pipe; a radiator arranged rearward of the front fork, the radiator overlapping the outer tube in a front view; a front wheel supported by the front fork; a front fender arranged upward of the front wheel; and a rectifier member attached to a portion of the outer tube that is upward of the front wheel and downward of the bottom bridge, the rectifier member extending rearward.