Straddle-Type Vehicle Engine Rear Cooling Partition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In straddle-type vehicles, the rear side of the engine experiences temperature rises due to heat generated by the generator, which affects fuel temperature and density, leading to decreased engine output, as existing air introduction ducts fail to sufficiently cool the region effectively.

Innovation Solution

A straddle-type vehicle design incorporating an outside air introduction duct with a partition wall between the generator and fuel pipe, where the duct directs air to intensively cool the generator while preventing heat transfer to the fuel pipe, and the partition wall insulates to reduce heat transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the generator is disposed on the rear side of the engine to generate electric power, then the vehicle's electrical power supply is improved, but the temperature of the region on the rear side of the engine rises due to heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power generationVSAvoidtemperature of rear side region

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The rear side region of the engine is divided into two separate spaces: a generator accommodation space and a fuel pipe accommodation space, using a partition wall. This segmentation isolates the heat-generating generator from the fuel pipe, preventing heat transfer while maintaining both components in the limited rear space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the generator and fuel pipe. This partition wall acts as a thermal barrier that blocks heat transfer from the generator to the fuel pipe, while still allowing both components to function in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the generator is disposed adjacent to the fuel pipe on the rear side of the engine, then space utilization is improved, but heat transfer from the generator to the fuel pipe increases causing fuel temperature rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat transfer to fuel pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rear side region is segmented into distinct generator and fuel pipe accommodation spaces using a partition wall. This allows both components to be positioned in the limited rear space (maintaining space utilization) while the partition wall prevents harmful heat transfer between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall serves as an intermediary thermal barrier that physically separates the generator and fuel pipe. It blocks heat transfer pathways while allowing both components to occupy the compact rear engine space, thus resolving the conflict between space efficiency and heat isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a partition wall is provided between the fuel pipe and generator to prevent heat transfer, then fuel temperature stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel temperature stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall creates simple, distinct accommodation spaces for the generator and fuel pipe. This segmentation provides effective thermal isolation (improving fuel temperature stability) while using a straightforward structural approach that minimizes overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall provides localized thermal isolation precisely where needed - between the generator and fuel pipe. This targeted approach improves fuel temperature stability without requiring complex insulation systems throughout the entire engine compartment, thus limiting the increase in device complexity to only the necessary local area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively prevents fuel temperature rises by enhancing generator cooling and reducing heat transfer from the generator to the fuel pipe, thereby maintaining engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

an outside air introduction duct configured to guide air outside the straddle-type vehicle to the rear side of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a partition wall, provided between the fuel pipe and the generator, and partitioning a region on the rear side of the engine into a generator arrangement region where the generator is provided and a fuel pipe arrangement region where the fuel pipe is provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11541956B2Straddle-type vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A straddle-type vehicle includes a fuel pipe provided on a rear side of an engine, a generator provided on the rear side of the engine and adjacent to the fuel pipe, an outside air introduction duct configured to guide air outside the straddle-type vehicle to the rear side of the engine, and a partition wall provided between the fuel pipe and the generator. The partition wall partitions a region on the rear side of the engine into a generator arrangement region where the generator is provided and a fuel pipe arrangement region where the fuel pipe is provided. The outside air introduction duct includes a first outlet configured to allow the air to flow out to the generator arrangement region.