Electric Motorcycle Controller Cooling via Footrest Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scooter-type electric motorcycles face challenges in efficiently cooling the controller unit due to inadequate ventilation and placement, which hinders effective heat dissipation and battery installation convenience.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a recessed controller housing compartment in the footrest section with protruding cooling fins on the bottom surface of the controller unit, allowing direct airflow for efficient cooling without the need for a dedicated ventilation passage, and positions the controller unit at the same height as the pivot shaft for reduced wiring complexity and improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the controller unit is disposed below the seat to allow battery installation, then battery installation convenience is improved, but the controller unit cannot be effectively cooled due to lack of direct airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit is positioned laterally offset from the longitudinal center line instead of being disposed directly below the seat. This dimensional repositioning allows the controller to protrude into the footrest section where traveling air flows directly, enabling effective cooling while maintaining battery installation convenience below the seat
2Temperature
If a ventilation passage is formed to lead traveling air to the controller, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit is extracted from the conventional position below the seat and repositioned to protrude into the footrest section. This extraction eliminates the need for complex ventilation passages, as the controller directly interfaces with traveling air flow, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The controller unit's own positioning protruding into the footrest section creates its own cooling pathway. The traveling air naturally flows over the protruding controller without requiring additional ventilation structures, allowing the controller to cool itself through its strategic placement
3Volume of moving object
If the controller is positioned centrally below the seat, then space utilization is improved, but wiring complexity increases due to lateral connection to motor
Solution Approach 1:
The controller unit is positioned asymmetrically by offsetting it laterally from the longitudinal center line to the right or left side. This asymmetric positioning reduces wiring complexity by shortening the lateral connection distance to the motor while still utilizing space effectively in the footrest section
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 direct and efficient cooling of the controller unit using traveling air, even without a specific ventilation passage, while allowing for comfortable battery installation and reducing wiring costs and weight by minimizing vertical bending of connection lines.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cooling fins of thin plate shapes extended in the front and the rear is provided in parallel in the bottom surface of the controller unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an electric motorcycle provided with: an electric motor (M) for driving a rear wheel (110) which is a drive wheel; a battery (B) for supplying power to the electric motor (M); and a controller unit (130) for performing drive control of the electric motor (M). The electric motorcycle is of the scooter type in which a footrest section is constructed between the front wheel (105) and the rear wheel (110), and is provided with a controller housing compartment (129) disposed in the footrest section so as to be downwardly recessed. An opening (131) is formed in the bottom of the controller housing compartment (129), and a cooling fin (130c) is provided in the bottom surface of the controller unit (130) in a state in which the cooling fin (130c) is housed in the controller housing compartment (129) and downwardly protrudes from the opening (131) to face the outside. As a result, the controller unit (130) is directly and efficiently cooled by airflow produced during travel.