Motorcycle Wind Guide Path for Radiator Cooling and Footrest Layout

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcycles with side radiators face challenges in efficiently guiding airflow to the radiator, which limits the longitudinal size of the first foot rest and flexibility in arranging the second foot rest due to positional interference with the rear frame and tandem foot rests.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle design that includes a vehicle body frame with a first wind guide path guiding air to the radiator through a space above or below the support portion and between the vehicle body cover and rear frame portion, allowing for efficient airflow to the radiator while increasing the longitudinal size of the first foot rest and flexible arrangement of the second foot rest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the radiator is disposed transversely outwards of the crankshaft (side radiator), then the structure is simplified and cooling efficiency is improved, but the airflow guidance becomes difficult and the longitudinal size of the first foot rest is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiator structureVSAvoidlongitudinal size of first foot rest
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wind guide path that extends in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back) to guide airflow to the side radiator. This dimensional approach allows the system to overcome the transverse orientation constraint, enabling the first foot rest to be positioned further forward while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the radiator is disposed transversely outwards of the crankshaft, then the coolant path distance is reduced, but the airflow guidance to the radiator becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant path distanceVSAvoidairflow guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wind guide path acts as an intermediary structure that channels airflow from the front of the vehicle toward the side radiator. This mediator component solves the airflow guidance problem by providing a dedicated flow path that overcomes the transverse orientation of the radiator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the rear frame portion is positioned forwards of the radiator, then the side radiator can be properly disposed, but the flexibility in arranging the second foot rest is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiator positioningVSAvoidsecond foot rest arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the foot rest arrangement by providing a support portion that can be independently positioned. This allows the second foot rest to be arranged flexibly in various positions (above, below, or beside the radiator) without compromising the radiator's transverse positioning or the overall vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficiently guides airflow to the radiator, increases the longitudinal size of the first foot rest, and allows for highly flexible placement of the second foot rest, enhancing cooling performance and reducing transverse size constraints.

Implementation Method 1

a first wind guide path is disposed for guiding an air to a transversely outward side of the radiator through a space positioned below the support portion and between the vehicle body cover and the rear frame portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2347949B1Motorcycle
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2347949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2347949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2347949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first wind guide path (20f) is disposed in a motorcycle according to the present invention. The first wind guide path (20f) guides air to the transversely outward side of a radiator (17) through a space that is positioned above or below a support portion (19a) supporting a second foot rest and between a vehicle body cover and a rear frame portion. Further, the vehicle body cover includes an air intake portion for taking in air into the first wind guide path (20f).