Motorcycle Footrest Shielding for Heat Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycles with water-cooled engines face challenges in maintaining a sporty appearance while providing a comfortable footrest for tandem riders, as the side radiator system can obstruct the footrest and expose the rider to exhaust heat.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle design featuring a water-cooled engine with a side-radiator system where the tandem footrest is positioned outside the radiator cover, incorporating a shielding member and heat-insulating cover to block exhaust air and heat, ensuring comfort and maintaining the sporty appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the side radiator system is adopted to maintain sporty appearance, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but the footrest becomes obstructed and heat exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesporty appearanceVSAvoidfootrest comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The footrest assembly is segmented into multiple functional parts: the footrest platform, shielding member, and heat-insulating cover. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while collectively solving the contradiction between maintaining sporty appearance and ensuring footrest comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding member and heat-insulating cover act as intermediary elements between the radiator/exhaust sources and the footrest. These intermediaries block harmful heat and exhaust air while preserving the sporty aesthetic design of the side radiator system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the footrest is positioned close to the front end of the side cover, then space utilization is improved, but exposure to exhaust heat increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidexhaust heat exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-insulating cover serves as a thermal intermediary that allows the footrest to be positioned in space-efficient locations near the front end of the side cover while blocking harmful exhaust heat from reaching the rider's feet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding member and heat-insulating cover provide localized thermal protection specifically at the footrest area, allowing other parts of the motorcycle to maintain their sporty design without compromise while addressing heat exposure only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If the radiator is positioned outside the engine in width direction, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the footrest area is exposed to more heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidheat exposure at footrest

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding member and heat-insulating cover function as thermal intermediaries that allow the side radiator system to maintain its superior cooling efficiency while preventing the resulting heat from reaching the footrest area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal management is applied locally at the footrest area through the heat-insulating cover, allowing the radiator to operate efficiently in its optimal position outside the engine while providing targeted heat protection only where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively reduces the influence of exhaust air and heat on the tandem rider, enhancing comfort while maintaining the sporty aesthetics by positioning the footrest outside the radiator and using shielding and heat-insulating components to manage heat exposure.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a shielding member and heat-insulating cover to block exhaust air and heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

shielding member and heat-insulating cover to block exhaust air and heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid Flow Blocking:

Data Source

PatentEP2159142B1Motorcycle

Publication Date: 2015.06.03 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The motorcycle (1) includes a side cover (7A), a tandem footrest (27), and a shielding member. A bottom edge (7b) of the side cover (7A) extends rearward and upward obliquely. The tandem footrest (27) includes a leg section fixed to a seat frame (26) and a footrest section supported by the leg section, located outside of the radiator, and rearward in a front/rear direction to, the radiator, and below the bottom edge (7b) of the side cover (7A) as seen in a side view. The shielding member is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the leg section and partially located rearward to the footrest section as seen in the side view.