Integrated Water Pump in Motorcycle Crankcase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engines, such as those in Suzuki TL1000S motorcycles, face issues with the unsightly protrusion and potential tubing damage due to the lateral positioning of the water pump, leading to aesthetic concerns and functional vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
The engine design integrates a water pump with its rotor driven by the timing shaft, where one half-casing has a protrusion forming the pump body, and a cover with a coolant inlet and outlet, allowing for a more integrated and secure coolant circulation system, with a movable tube for leak-tight conduction and easy dismantling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water pump is positioned laterally on the clutch housing, then the pump can be installed and driven by the timing shaft, but it forms an unsightly protrusion and requires lateral water piping that can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pump body is merged with the crankcase half-casing by forming it as an integral protrusion from the casing material. This eliminates the need for separate pump housing and lateral piping, creating a sleek integrated design that resolves the aesthetic contradiction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integral forming processes
2Ease of manufacture
If the water pump is positioned laterally on the clutch housing, then the pump can be installed and driven by the timing shaft, but the lateral tubing is vulnerable to tearing and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant circulation path is merged into the engine structure through integral boreholes and passages formed directly in the crankcase and cylinder heads. This eliminates vulnerable external tubing by creating internal sealed coolant channels that are structurally protected and cannot be torn or damaged externally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an removable coupling device as an intermediary element that connects the pump to the coolant circulation system through sealed interfaces. This coupling allows for maintenance access while maintaining a reliable sealed connection that protects against leakage and damage during operation
3Shape
If the pump body is formed as a protrusion in the half-casing, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and tubing damage is reduced, but the pump structure becomes more integrated and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump body is formed as an integral protrusion from the crankcase half-casing material, merging what would traditionally be separate components into a unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for additional housing parts and fasteners, reducing overall component count and assembly complexity despite the sophisticated forming process required
4Ease of repair
If a movable tube is used for coolant conduction, then easy dismantling for maintenance is enabled, but the sealing and positioning mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporating the movable tube is designed with dynamic sealing capabilities that maintain leak-free connections during operation. The sealing mechanism includes flexible elements and compression features that adapt to thermal expansion and vibration while maintaining integrity, enabling both ease of removal and reliable sealing during service intervals
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 design enhances the aesthetic appeal by eliminating unsightly tubing and reduces the risk of damage, while ensuring efficient coolant circulation and easy maintenance through a sealed and retractable tube configuration.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic pump ensures the circulation of the coolant
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a water-cooled motorcycle engine comprising a main engine crankcase having a vertical joint face (4), including a water pump of which the rotor (10) is driven by the distribution shaft, characterised in that one of the crankcase-halves (2) includes a protuberance (8) defining a hollow volume (9) forming the pump body and opening onto the joint face (4) of the two crankcases. Said pump body is closed by a cover (17) comprising an inlet channel (23) for the cooling liquid, placed on top of the engine, said cover (17) also having a configuration opening into a cooling liquid outlet.