Motorcycle Radiator Piping Layout for Narrow Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for motorcycle radiators often result in an increased vehicle width due to the need to offset the engine and position the cooling piping, which compromises cooling efficiency and alignment with the vehicle's centerline.
Innovation Solution
A motorcycle design featuring a cross-flow-type radiator with pipings arranged on one side of the engine in the vehicle width direction, including a first piping extending rearward and a second piping that crosses the centerline, forming a circulating circuit to maintain cooling efficiency while minimizing vehicle width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine is mounted to be offset from the body frame toward one side in the vehicle width direction and the supply-side piping and the return-side piping are arranged on the both sides of the engine in the vehicle width direction, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the vehicle width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the supply-side piping and return-side piping are arranged on one side of the engine (the other side in vehicle width direction) rather than distributing them on both sides. This merging of piping arrangements on a single side reduces the vehicle width while maintaining cooling functionality through the offset engine mounting configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The engine is intentionally mounted with its center out of alignment with the body frame center in the vehicle width direction. This asymmetric mounting allows the piping to be arranged on one side only, creating an unbalanced but space-efficient configuration that reduces overall vehicle width while preserving cooling efficiency
2Length of stationary object
If the supply-side piping and the return-side piping are arranged separately on both sides of the engine in a vehicle width direction, then the piping length is reduced, but the vehicle width increases when the engine is offset
Solution Approach 1:
Both supply-side and return-side piping are combined and arranged on one side of the engine rather than separating them on both sides. This consolidation maintains relatively short piping lengths while avoiding the vehicle width increase that would result from bilateral piping arrangement with an offset engine
3Length of moving object
If the engine center is aligned with the body frame center in the vehicle width direction, then the vehicle width is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates when using bilateral piping arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is deliberately mounted with asymmetric positioning relative to the body frame center in the vehicle width direction. This asymmetric mounting enables the piping to be arranged on one side only, achieving both reduced vehicle width and maintained cooling efficiency by avoiding the need for bilateral piping distribution
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 liquid circulation efficiency and reduces the overall vehicle width by optimizing the radiator and piping layout, improving cooling performance and adhering to stricter emission control standards.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator (40) arranged in front of the engine (20)... wherein the radiator (40) is a cross-flow-type radiator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A center of an engine (20) in a vehicle width direction is out of alignment with respect to a center of a head pipe (11) in the vehicle width direction toward one side in the vehicle width direction. A radiator (40) is arranged in front of the engine (20). In the radiator (40), a cooling liquid flows in the vehicle width direction. A first piping (31) connects a first end portion of the radiator (40) to the engine (20). A second piping (32) connects a second end portion of the radiator (40) to the engine (20). The second piping (32) extends in the vehicle width direction between the radiator (40) and the engine (20), and is arranged to extend rearward of the other side of the engine (20) in the vehicle width direction.