Motorcycle Side Cowl Air Guide Path for Downforce and Steerability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saddle riding vehicles face difficulty in achieving both downforce generation and steerability due to the influence of downforce exerted by aerodynamic force generating units positioned above the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of side cowls with air flow conditioning members that guide traveling air from the inner cowl to the outer cowl, creating an air guide path and generating downforce while being separated from the outer cowl, thereby reducing the upper influence of downforce and enhancing steerability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an aerodynamic force generating unit is provided above the vehicle to generate downforce, then downforce generation is improved, but steerability deteriorates due to large influence on the entire vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from generating downforce in the vertical dimension (above the vehicle) to generating it in the lateral dimension (between inner and outer cowls). The air flow conditioning member is positioned laterally between the inner cowl and outer cowl, utilizing air flow in the vehicle width direction rather than the vertical direction, thereby reducing the upward influence on the vehicle body while maintaining downforce generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow conditioning member acts as an intermediary element positioned laterally between the inner and outer cowls. It conditions the air flow in the air guide path to generate downforce through lateral air flow management, rather than directly positioning aerodynamic elements above the vehicle body, thus mediating between the need for downforce and the need for steerability
2Force
If the air flow conditioning member is positioned close to the outer cowl to maximize downforce, then downforce generation is improved, but steerability deteriorates due to increased upper vehicle influence
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow conditioning member is positioned at a specific lateral distance from the outer cowl inner surface, creating an optimal local condition for air flow conditioning. This controlled positioning ensures sufficient downforce generation while preventing excessive influence on the upper vehicle structure that would compromise steerability, achieving local optimization of both parameters
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 allows for effective downforce generation with reduced upper vehicle influence and improved steerability, enabling both downforce and steerability to be easily realized.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow conditioning member configured to generate downforce using traveling air directed from the inner cowl to an inner surface of the outer cowl in the vehicle width direction and flowing through the air guide path
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a motorcycle including side cowls configured to cover a part of a vehicle body frame from sides, wherein each of the side cowls includes: an inner cowl, an outer cowl configured to cover the inner cowl from an outside in a vehicle width direction to form an air guide path configured to guide traveling air from a front side to a rear side between the inner cowl and the outer cowl, and an air flow conditioning member configured to generate downforce using traveling air directed from the inner cowl to an inner surface of the outer cowl in the vehicle width direction and flowing through the air guide path, and the air flow conditioning member is separated from the inner surface of the outer cowl in the vehicle width direction.