Motorcycle Side Radiator Wind Guide Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycles with side radiators face reduced airflow efficiency due to the side cowl covering the front portion of the radiator, which impairs cooling performance, especially when higher engine capacities are demanded.
Innovation Solution
A motorcycle design featuring a wind guide path between the left and right lower covers and under the footrest, which directs airflow to the space between the side cover and the radiator, enhancing airflow delivery to the side radiator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the side cowl is extended rearwards to accommodate a tandem foot rest or for other reasons, then the foot rest accommodation or other requirements are satisfied, but the front portion of the side radiator is covered, reducing airflow efficiency to the radiator
Solution Approach 1:
The side cowl is divided into a first side cowl and a second side cowl. The first side cowl extends rearwards to accommodate the tandem foot rest, while the second side cowl is configured to avoid covering the front portion of the side radiator. This segmentation allows both the foot rest accommodation and radiator airflow efficiency to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Length of stationary object
If the side radiator is disposed with wind receiving surface oriented transversely outwards to reduce transverse motorcycle size, then the motorcycle width is reduced, but the radiator does not easily receive airflow directly, requiring a radiator fan and reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A wind guide path is introduced as an intermediary structure that directs airflow from the front of the motorcycle towards the side radiator. This wind guide path compensates for the reduced direct airflow reception caused by the transverse orientation of the radiator, thereby maintaining cooling efficiency while keeping the motorcycle width reduced.
3Productivity
If a fin is disposed to guide backwardly flowing air to the side radiator, then airflow efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind guide path functionality is merged with the side cowl structure. Instead of adding a separate fin structure, the side cowl itself is designed to incorporate the airflow guiding function, thereby enhancing airflow efficiency to the radiator while avoiding additional structural complexity.
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 design significantly improves airflow efficiency to the side radiator, maintaining effective cooling performance even when the side cover partially covers the radiator, and ensures high cooling efficiency during both high-speed travel and low-speed operation.
Implementation Method 1
A wind guide path is disposed between the left and right lower covers and under the foot rest. The wind guide path guides an air to a space between the side cover and the radiator.
Implementation Method 2
The radiator is disposed transversely outwards of the crankshaft and covers the crankshaft from a transversely outward side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a motorcycle of the present invention, a radiator (17) is disposed transversely outwards of a crankshaft (15a) of an engine (15) . A side cover (20d) at least partially covers a radiator (17) from a transversely outward side thereof. A left lower cover (21d1) at least partially covers a bottom frame portion (9c) from a left side thereof. A right lower cover (21d2) at least partially covers the bottom frame portion from a right side thereof. Further, a wind guide path (21e) is disposed transversely between the left lower cover (21d1) and the right lower cover (21d2) while being disposed under a foot rest (21a). The wind guide path (21e) guides the air to a space between the side cover (20d) and the radiator (17).