Motorcycle Swingarm Wings for Rear-Wheel Airflow Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorcycle designs fail to optimize aerodynamic properties at the sides of the rear wheel, leading to turbulence and inefficiencies in airflow redirection.
Innovation Solution
A swingarm with wings projecting rearward from the swingarm body, redirecting air flow from the fairing towards the back of the motorcycle, featuring a leading and trailing edge configuration to deflect air towards the centerline plane, and extending upward to cover the upper half of the rear wheel, with a convex external surface for enhanced stability and downforce generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wings are added to the swingarm to redirect airflow, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are integrated directly into the swingarm body structure, merging the aerodynamic function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate aerodynamic attachments while achieving airflow redirection, thus improving aerodynamic performance without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings extend upward from the swingarm body in the vertical dimension, allowing them to intercept and redirect airflow from the fairing toward the back of the motorcycle. This three-dimensional configuration enables effective airflow management that flat or horizontal extensions could not achieve, solving the turbulence problem through spatial optimization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wings extend upward to cover the upper half of the rear wheel, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are formed as integral parts of the swingarm body through monocoque construction or direct attachment at root portions. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing by eliminating separate assembly steps for aerodynamic elements, while the upward extension geometry is achieved through standard molding or forming processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the trailing edge of the wing is closer to the centerline plane, then aerodynamic wake is closed toward the center, but wing structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing features a specific geometric configuration where the trailing edge is positioned closer to the centerline plane than the leading edge, creating a localized aerodynamic quality that closes the wake toward the center. This targeted geometric feature is implemented only where needed on the wing structure, rather than complicating the entire wing design, thus achieving wake management with minimal added 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
The solution improves aerodynamic performance on both straight and cornering conditions by reducing turbulence and generating downforce, enhancing overall motorcycle stability and adherence.
Implementation Method 1
The wings redirect the air from the fairing toward the back of the motorcycle... make the airflow more homogeneous at the sides of the rear wheel, redirecting it behind the rear wheel
Implementation Method 2
The external surface of the wings is outwardly convex. The convex surface allows the wing to deflect the air flow toward the centerline plane of the motorcycle
Implementation Method 3
The upper edge and the lower edge can be arranged above the rear wheel axle... providing the swingarm with a downforce load when the motorcycle is under maximum tilt conditions when cornering
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A swingarm (23) for a motorcycle (1) provided with wings (3) at least partially projecting rearward from a swingarm body (27) with respect to a rear wheel axle (10). A motorcycle (1) comprising said swingarm (23).