Radiator Cover Stepped Design for Motorcycle Wind Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle-ride type vehicles do not effectively utilize the radiator to enhance steerability, as wind passes through openings in the cowl, leading to increased manipulation force when inclining the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A radiator cover design with a front cover portion extending in the longitudinal direction, a stepped portion, a bulging rear cover portion, and a wind vent opening, along with a slit and rib portion, is used to generate turbulent flows and vent wind, reducing the manipulation force during inclining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If opening portions are formed in the cowl to allow wind passage, then steerability is enhanced, but wind passes through laterally causing increased manipulation force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful lateral wind flow that increases manipulation force into a beneficial effect by guiding it through the radiator. The opening portions in the radiator cover direct wind through the radiator core, where it cools the engine while still allowing lateral passage to maintain steerability. The wind that would otherwise be harmful is now useful for cooling while reduced lateral force is applied to the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator acts as an intermediary structure between the opening portions and the vehicle body. Instead of wind flowing directly laterally across the vehicle, it passes through the radiator which mediates the flow, converting lateral kinetic energy into cooling efficiency while reducing the direct lateral force on the vehicle body.
2Ease of operation
If the radiator cover includes a front cover portion forming a stepped portion, then wind is peeled off effectively, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator cover is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the radiator, creates the stepped portion for wind flow control, forms opening portions for lateral wind passage, and integrates with the vehicle body styling. By making the radiator cover multi-functional, the invention achieves complex aerodynamic effects without adding separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the wind control function with the radiator cover structure itself. The front cover portion and opening portions are integrated into the radiator cover rather than being separate aerodynamic add-ons. This consolidation achieves the desired wind peeling effect while minimizing additional device 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 radiator cover design effectively peels off traveling wind, reducing the inclination manipulation force and enhancing steerability by utilizing the radiator's position and shape to guide and vent wind, while also increasing the rigidity and protection of the radiator.
Implementation Method 1
a traveling wind which flows around the radiator flows rearwardly along the front cover portion and, thereafter, impinges on the side portion of the radiator so that a turbulent flow is generated whereby the traveling wind can be peeled off
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a saddle-ride type vehicle which can enhance steerability thereof by making use of a radiator with the constitution where opening portions are formed in a radiator cover at positions where the opening portions overlap the radiator as viewed in a side view. A radiator cover (61) includes a front cover portion (63A) which extends in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body in front of and in the vicinity of an opening portion (63B) provided at a position where the opening portion (63B) overlaps the radiator (51) as viewed in a side view, and the front cover portion (63A) is arranged inside a side portion of the radiator (51) in the vehicle widthwise direction thus forming a stepped portion 65 between the front cover portion (63A) and the side portion of the radiator (51).