Motorcycle Thermostat and Sensor Placement for Compact Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle-type vehicles with a main cooling path and bypass path for internal combustion engines are difficult to miniaturize due to the complexity and space requirements of multiple water pipes and the thermostat, which complicates the structure and interferes with the temperature sensor.
Innovation Solution
A saddle-type vehicle design where the cooling water flows through a bypass path when the temperature is low and a main cooling path when high, utilizing a thermostat with specific port connections and water pipe configurations to reduce the number of water pipes and allow compact placement of the temperature sensor and thermostat, allowing for oblique placement to minimize size without obstructing the sensor's attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a main cooling path and bypass path with multiple water pipes and a thermostat are provided, then the internal combustion engine can be quickly warmed in the cool period and sufficiently cooled in the warm period, but the number of water pipes increases and the structure becomes complex, making it difficult to reduce the size of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the bypass path functionality into the main cooling path by using a single water pipe that serves dual purposes. The thermostat valve within this pipe controls flow distribution, merging what would traditionally require separate pipes into one unified structure, thereby reducing the number of water pipes while maintaining both cooling paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The single water pipe is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the main cooling path conduit and simultaneously provides the bypass path when the thermostat valve redirects flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate pipes for each cooling path, reducing overall structural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple water pipes and a thermostat are provided for switching between main cooling path and bypass path, then effective temperature control is achieved, but the space requirements increase and the temperature sensor placement is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat and water pipes are integrated into a compact arrangement where the thermostat valve is positioned within the single water pipe structure. This merging reduces the overall space required compared to having separate dedicated pipes for main cooling and bypass paths, allowing more compact engine bay layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space optimization by arranging the water pipe and thermostat components in a compact configuration that minimizes the footprint. The single pipe design allows for more flexible routing and positioning, reducing the area occupied by the cooling system components.
3Productivity
If a thermostat and multiple water pipes are provided for path switching, then effective cooling management is achieved, but the structure interferes with the temperature sensor placement
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated into the single water pipe structure at a location where it can accurately measure cooling water temperature without being obstructed by the thermostat valve mechanism. This unified design allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for temperature detection while the thermostat operates nearby, reducing interference compared to more complex multi-pipe arrangements.
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 design enables quick warming of the internal combustion engine during cool periods and sufficient cooling during warm periods while reducing the overall size of the vehicle by minimizing the number of water pipes and optimizing the placement of the temperature sensor and thermostat.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator that cools the cooling water
Implementation Method 2
a thermostat that switches the path for the cooling water to the main cooling path or to the bypass path
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A motorcycle 1 includes a thermostat 41 and a temperature sensor 80 connected to a cooling water outlet 25o of an internal combustion engine 11. The temperature sensor 80 and at least a portion of the thermostat 41 overlap a cylinder section 19 of the internal combustion engine 11 as seen in a vehicle side view. At least a portion of the temperature sensor 80 and at least a portion of the thermostat 41 are located at the same position in a left-right direction. A center line of an outer portion 80a of the temperature sensor 80 extends from the cooling water outlet 25o in a direction inclining with respect to a vertical plane Pc including an axial line Ca of the cylinder section 19.