Saddle-Type Vehicle Controller Case and Heat Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saddle-type vehicles face challenges in protecting electronic control units (ECUs) from thermal effects when positioned at the front, as existing solutions complicate the vehicle body cover structure and require inefficient cooling arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A separate controller case is mounted forward of the steering shaft, with a heat shield between the radiator and ECU, and airflow intake and exhaust ports are strategically designed to direct airflow for efficient cooling, using ribs to guide airflow and prevent turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the ECU is disposed at the front of the vehicle to utilize airflow for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the ECU is exposed to thermal effects from the radiator
Solution Approach 1:
The front vehicle body cover is divided into a first cover portion and a second cover portion that are separable from each other. The controller case is disposed between these two cover portions, allowing the ECU to be positioned in the front for efficient cooling while being protected from radiator thermal effects by the segmented cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller case is introduced as an intermediary component between the radiator and the ECU. This controller case houses the ECU and is positioned within the segmented cover structure, serving as a protective intermediary that shields the ECU from direct thermal exposure from the radiator while maintaining front positioning for cooling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ECU is protected from thermal effects by mounting it on the vehicle body cover, then thermal protection is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body cover is segmented into two separable portions with the controller case positioned between them. This segmentation provides thermal protection for the ECU through the cover structure while maintaining relative simplicity by using a modular design that can be easily assembled and disassembled, avoiding the need for complex integrated solutions.
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 arrangement effectively shields the ECU from radiator heat without complicating the vehicle body cover, ensuring efficient cooling and protection from thermal effects while maintaining a streamlined structure.
Implementation Method 1
a heat shield for placement above a radiator disposed forward of a steering shaft that steers a front wheel, wherein the heat shield is situated between the radiator and the electronic controller, wherein the heat shield isolates the controller from direct exposure to heat emitted from the radiator
Implementation Method 2
a known arrangement for a saddle-type vehicle (in the depicted embodiment, an all-terrain vehicle or ATV), which is capable of running on rough terrain or in an off-road environment, is provided with a radiator disposed at a front end of the vehicle, so that an airflow produced when the vehicle is running can be used to cool fluid passing through the radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A saddle-type vehicle including a radiator disposed forwardly of a steering shaft for steering a front wheel, the radiator being covered by a vehicle body cover, the vehicle including a controller case which extends forwardly of the steering shaft of a vehicle body frame, formed separately from the vehicle body cover, and fixed on a frame supporting the radiator. The controller case is positioned rearward of and above the radiator, and is configured such that the controller case supports an electronic controller therein. The saddle-type vehicle also includes a heat shield disposed between the radiator and the controller, wherein the heat shield substantially isolates the controller from heat emitted from the radiator.