Muffler Positioning for Lateral Radiator Saddle-Ride Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In saddle-ride type vehicles with a laterally disposed radiator, the increased load on the engine unit's support structure due to a rearwardly positioned muffler leads to an enlarged engine unit size, requiring enhanced support strength.
Innovation Solution
The muffler is positioned with its front end higher than the radiator's bottom surface and rear end overlapping with the rear wheel, reducing the distance to the engine unit's pivot center, thereby reducing the load on the support structure and inhibiting size increase, while maintaining a steeper angle than traditional mufflers to prevent bank angle reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radiator is disposed laterally to the engine, then the engine contour is enlarged due to the attachment portion, but the muffler can be positioned more compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The muffler is positioned in the vertical dimension by extending its center axis obliquely upward, rather than only in the horizontal rearward direction. This dimensional change allows the muffler to be closer to the engine pivot center while maintaining adequate distance from the laterally disposed radiator, reducing the load on the support structure without compromising the lateral radiator configuration
2Shape
If the muffler is positioned further rearwards to accommodate the lateral radiator, then the engine unit contour can be maintained, but the distance between the muffler rear end and the pivot center increases, increasing the load on the support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The muffler's center axis is extended obliquely upward rather than purely horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal distance to the pivot center. This reduces the moment arm and consequently the load on the support structure, while still accommodating the lateral radiator position
Solution Approach 2:
The muffler is positioned with its front end higher than the radiator bottom surface and its rear end overlapping with the rear wheel, creating a specific spatial configuration that optimizes both the engine unit contour and the support structure load by changing the positional parameters in three-dimensional space
Data Source
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AI summary
A saddle-ride type vehicle (1) provided with a radiator (17) disposed laterally to an engine (11). In a side view of the saddle-ride type vehicle (1), an intersection (P6) between a muffler (19) and a conceptual extended line (L4) of the top surface of a radiator main body (172) is positioned forwards of a conceptual vertical line (L5) that is arranged perpendicularly to the conceptual extended line (L4) while passing through the rotary center (P7) of a rear wheel (8). The front end (P5) of the muffler (19) is positioned higher than a conceptual extended line (L3) of the bottom surface of the radiator main body (172). The rear end (P3) of the muffler (19) is overlapped with the rear wheel (8) in a vehicle side view.