Motorcycle Side Cover Segmentation for Wind and Mud Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side covers for motorcycles, which only cover a small portion of the front, fail to effectively reduce air resistance and prevent wind and mud from hitting the rider, as they allow wind to flow through a large inner space, increasing resistance and allowing mud and water to enter.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a pair of side covers with a first and second side cover configuration, where the second side cover is positioned laterally outward of the first, forming a wind flow path and reducing the inner space opening area without altering the outer ends' position, thereby reducing wind and mud impact while minimizing turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the side covers are designed to cover only a small portion of the front portion (half cowl configuration), then engine cooling performance is enhanced by preventing heat from being trapped, but air resistance reduction and wind/mud protection effects are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side cover is divided into two separate components: a first side cover and a second side cover. The first side cover covers the inner space near the head pipe, while the second side cover covers the outer lateral portion. This segmentation allows the inner opening area to be reduced for mud/wind protection while the outer cover extends laterally to maintain aerodynamic benefits and rider protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening area of the inner space is reduced to decrease wind flow through the side covers, then mud and water scattering towards the rider is reduced, but air resistance increases due to turbulence at the step formed by hollow side covers
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the side cover into inner and outer portions, the invention reduces the inner opening area to limit mud/wind entry while the outer second side cover extends laterally to guide wind flow smoothly. This avoids the large step configuration of hollow side covers and reduces turbulence, thereby minimizing air resistance increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The second side cover extends in the lateral dimension outward from the first side cover. This dimensional extension allows the inner opening to be small (reducing mud/wind entry) while the outer cover creates a broader aerodynamic profile that guides wind flow and reduces resistance, effectively using spatial dimensionality to resolve the contradiction.
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 effectively reduces lateral wind and mud impact on the rider while maintaining engine cooling performance and preventing air resistance increase during travel.
Implementation Method 1
resistance of wind flowing through the inner space is increased in proportion to reduction in the opening area of the inner space. Therefore, the amount of wind flowing through the inner space during travelling of the vehicle is reduced
Implementation Method 2
mud and water scattering and flying towards a rider are splashed by wind flowing through a space positioned laterally inwards of the side covers during travelling of the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
It is intended in a motorcycle to inhibit increase in air resistance and inhibit wind and mud from hitting a rider during travelling of the motorcycle. A side cover (30) includes a first side cover (31) and a second side cover (32). The first side cover (31) is disposed laterally outwards of a head pipe (11a) and a front fork (15). The second side cover (32) is disposed laterally outwards of a portion of the first side cover (31) positioned laterally outward of the head pipe (11a) and the front fork (15). The lateral end of the second side cover (32) is positioned laterally outwards of the first side cover (31). A rear edge (31d) of the first side cover (31) is at least partially positioned rearwards of a rear edge (32b) of the second side cover (32).