Motorcycle Radiator Partition Wall Blocks Air Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiator designs for saddle-riding vehicles, such as motorcycles, suffer from reduced heat radiating efficiency due to backflow of discharge air, which decreases performance and rider comfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a partition wall that protrudes downwardly from the radiator core to block backward flow of discharge air, along with a fan covering design that includes a guide portion inclined radially inwardly to direct air towards the outer periphery of the fan housing, ensuring smooth discharge and preventing re-entry into the radiator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the shroud opens downwards to discharge air below the fan, then rider comfort is improved, but discharge air flows backwards through the core area and re-enters the radiator, lowering heat radiating efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverider discomfort from discharge airVSAvoidheat radiating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The fan covering is divided into multiple functional regions: a downward opening for discharge, a partition wall to block backflow, and a guide portion to direct airflow. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between rider comfort and heat radiating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the downward opening and the core area. It blocks the harmful backflow of discharge air while allowing the downward discharge function to continue, thus preventing the contradiction from manifesting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the cooling fan outer diameter is increased to match the core vertical length, then heat radiating efficiency is improved, but the overall radiator size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiating efficiencyVSAvoidradiator size
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fan covering is designed with an optimized protrusion length (0.1 to 0.3 times the core vertical length) that provides sufficient airflow guidance without excessive size. This dynamic optimization balances the fan diameter with the covering protrusion to achieve efficient heat radiation within a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the fan covering protrusion length is increased to guide airflow better, then heat radiating efficiency is improved, but frictional loss increases and discharge air velocity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiating efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge air velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The optimal protrusion length parameter is determined to be 0.1 to 0.3 times the core vertical length H. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient airflow guidance for heat radiation while minimizing frictional losses and maintaining high discharge air velocity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 heat radiating efficiency by preventing backflow and improving airflow, maintaining rider comfort and radiator performance even at low speeds or during parking.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fan (28) is disposed downstream of the core (20)... the cooling fan (28) has an outer diameter D that is preferably substantially identical to the vertical length H of the core (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a core (20) for allowing the cooling medium to drain... heat radiating efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a partition wall (32) is provided radially outwardly of a front portion of the cooling fan (28)... the partition wall (32) is operable to suppress a backflow of a discharge air (DW)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow Direction Control:

Implementation Method 4

the fan covering (30) includes a guide portion (34) inclined radially inwardly in a region confronting an outer periphery of the cooling fan (28)... the discharge air is guided towards an outer periphery of a fan housing of the cooling fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow Guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP3133007B1Radiator for saddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3133007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3133007B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3133007B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A radiator (15) for the motorcycle includes a core (20) through which a cooling medium flows, a cooling fan (28) which is disposed on a downstream side of the core (20) and ventilates the core (20), a downwardly opened fan covering (30) for enclosing areas above, on opposite lateral sides and on a downstream side of the cooling fan (28), and a partition wall (32) for partitioning between an lower portion of the core (20) and a lower portion of the cooling fan (28) so as to suppress the backward flow of the discharge air (DW) from the opening (30a) towards the core (20).