Motorcycle Engine Unit Actuator Cooling via Lateral Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated manual transmission (AMT) mechanisms for vehicles, the clutch and gearshift actuators face challenges with cooling due to their placement, leading to increased weight and component count, as well as inefficiencies in air exposure and heat management.
Innovation Solution
The clutch and gearshift actuators are positioned to be exposed to air blowing from the front, with the clutch actuator motor placed outward on the cylinder block's side surface and the gearshift actuator motor positioned at the rear, overlapping with the clutch actuator motor, allowing for improved cooling and reduced heat influence without increasing the engine unit's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the clutch actuator is disposed at the rear of the cylinder block, then the engine unit can be miniaturized by effectively using dead space, but the clutch actuator is difficult to expose to air blowing from the front and is easily influenced by heat from the cylinder block
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch actuator motor is repositioned from a rear-mounted configuration to a lateral configuration, protruding outward from the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. This dimensional change in positioning allows the actuator to be exposed to air flow from the front for cooling while maintaining compact engine unit dimensions through effective space utilization.
2Reliability
If the clutch actuator is installed using a bracket to prevent heat influence, then the clutch actuator is protected from heat, but the number of components and weight of the engine unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch actuator motor is integrated directly into the engine unit structure, merging its mounting function with the engine housing. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and fastening components, reducing part count and weight while maintaining reliable heat protection through the repositioned lateral configuration that exposes the actuator to cooling air flow.
3Volume of stationary object
If the gearshift actuator is disposed at the rear of the cylinder block with axial line parallel to vehicle front-rear direction, then the gearshift mechanism can be compact, but it is difficult to obtain space for the clutch actuator in a lateral side and arrange it in a position exposed to air blowing from the front
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch actuator motor is positioned to protrude outward from the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction, utilizing the lateral dimension for optimal cooling exposure. This spatial arrangement in the vehicle width direction creates sufficient space while maintaining the gearshift actuator's rear-mounted configuration with axial line parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction, achieving both compactness and effective cooling.
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 enhances cooling efficiency for the actuators, reduces the risk of heat-related performance degradation, and simplifies maintenance while maintaining a compact engine unit design.
Implementation Method 1
facilitating cooling of the clutch actuator and the gearshift actuator using the air blowing from the front by exposing the clutch actuator and the gearshift actuator to the air blowing from the front
Data Source
AI summary
An engine unit of a motorcycle has a crankcase and an overlying cylinder block. The crankcase has a magnet cover positioned outward of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction as seen in the front-rear direction. The clutch actuator motor serving as a driving power source for a switching operation of the clutch is disposed inward of the side surface of the magnet cover in the vehicle width direction as seen in the front-rear direction. A part of the clutch actuator motor is positioned over the magnet cover.