Motorcycle Actuator Cooling via Dimensional Shift
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycle actuators, such as clutch and shift actuators, are susceptible to heat from the engine case, leading to reduced operation performance and increased manufacturing costs due to inefficient space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The actuators are arranged around a cover member on the engine case, allowing them to be cooled by traveling wind and reducing the influence of engine heat, with orthogonal placement to minimize space requirements and prevent damage from external contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the clutch actuator is arranged above the transmission and behind the cylinder, then the space around the engine is effectively utilized, but the clutch actuator is susceptible to heat from the engine case and operation performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch actuator is rearranged from a vertical arrangement (above transmission) to a horizontal arrangement along the width direction of the motorcycle, positioning it in the front half of the motorcycle. This dimensional change allows the actuator to be in a location that receives cooling wind from the front while still utilizing engine surrounding space effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch actuator is extracted from the hot zone near the engine case and transmission, and repositioned to a cooler zone in the front half of the motorcycle. This separation removes the actuator from the harmful thermal environment while maintaining compact overall layout.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the clutch actuator is mounted to the crankcase via a bracket, then the influence of heat from the crankcase is reduced, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch actuator is directly integrated with the engine case, eliminating the need for a separate bracket mounting structure. This merging of components reduces part count and simplifies assembly while the engine case itself serves as the mounting structure, providing both structural support and thermal management.
3Volume of moving object
If the shift actuator protrudes outwards beyond the cylinder, then the space above the crankcase is effectively utilized, but the motorcycle width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shift actuator is repositioned from a lateral arrangement (protruding beyond cylinder) to a vertical arrangement below the counter shaft. This dimensional change allows the actuator to utilize the vertical space under the counter shaft without increasing the motorcycle's width, maintaining a compact lateral profile.
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 effectively cools the actuators, maintains operation performance, reduces the motorcycle's width, and simplifies maintenance by allowing detachable motor units, thus addressing heat influence and space utilization issues.
Implementation Method 1
it is possible to cool the clutch actuator and the shift actuator with the traveling wind and the like
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a motorcycle. A crankshaft extends in a width direction of the motorcycle. An engine case pivotally supports the crankshaft. A counter shaft is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft. A clutch mechanism is arranged at one end of the counter shaft and configured to transmit and disconnect rotation of the crankshaft to and from the counter shaft. A clutch actuator performs a disconnection/connection operation of the clutch mechanism. A shift mechanism is arranged below the counter shaft and configured to shift and transmit the rotation of the crankshaft to a driving wheel. A shift actuator performs a shift operation of the shift mechanism. A generator is arranged at one end of the crankshaft. The clutch actuator and the shift actuator are arranged around a cover member mounted to the engine case and accommodating therein the clutch mechanism or the generator.