Motorcycle with a rear-mounted radiator

• US 7,143,854 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Arnold, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US11/272,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20060076177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 180 651- 654, 180/68.1, 180/68.3, 180/68.4, 180/219, 180/220, 180/229
• US Class Current: 180/229
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/283 for cycles without a pedal crank, e.g. motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/10 Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/025 using two or more air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/046 with electrical pump drive
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/16 Motor-cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/18 Arrangements or mounting of liquid-to-air heat-exchangers such arrangements on cylinders or cylinder heads F01P3/04; relative to vehicles B60K11/04

Abstract

A motorcycle is provided having front and rear wheels. A frame is supported on and connected to the front and rear wheels. The frame includes a rear swing frame pivotally connected to a front frame. A seat and an engine are mounted to the frame. The engine is disposed between the front and rear wheels. A radiator is mounted to the rear swing frame and is disposed between the engine and the rear wheel. A fan assembly is connected to the radiator and is disposed rearward of the radiator. An inner fender is disposed between the radiator and the rear wheel.

Claims

1. A motorcycle comprising:

(a.) front and rear wheels, said motorcycle defining a longitudinal plane that extends through said front and rear wheels;

(b.) a frame supported on and connected to the front and rear wheels;

(c.) an engine mounted to the frame and disposed between the front and rear wheels;

(d.) a seat mounted to the frame;

(e.) a radiator mounted to the frame, said radiator being disposed between the engine and the rear wheel and extending across said longitudinal plane;

(f.) a fan assembly disposed between the radiator and the rear wheel and operable to draw air from the radiator and to direct the air rearwardly toward the rear wheel; and

(g.) inner and outer rear fenders connected to the frame, said inner rear fender being disposed between the fan assembly and the rear wheel.

2. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer rear fenders cooperate to define an egress channel for guiding air from the fan assembly.

4. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly is connected to the radiator.

5. The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the fan assembly comprises a mounting structure secured to the radiator and at least one fan held by the mounting structure in a position disposed rearward and in alignment with the radiator.

6. The motorcycle of claim 5, wherein each at least one fan comprises an electric motor drivingly connected to an impeller and a shroud disposed around the impeller.

3. A motorcycle comprising:

(a.) front and rear wheels, said motorcycle defining a longitudinal plane that extends through said front and rear wheels;

(b.) a frame supported on and connected to the front and rear wheels;

(c.) an engine mounted to the frame and disposed between the front and rear wheels;

(d.) a seat mounted to the frame;

(e.) a radiator mounted to the frame, said radiator being disposed between the engine and the rear wheel and extending across said longitudinal plane; and

(f.) a fan assembly disposed between the radiator and the rear wheel and operable to draw air from the radiator and to direct the air rearwardly toward the rear wheel,

wherein the fan assembly is disposed below the seat and wherein an uppermost portion of the radiator is disposed at a lower level than an uppermost portion of the rear wheel.

7. A motorcycle comprising:

(a.) front and rear wheels;

(b.) a frame supported on and connected to the front and rear wheels;

(c.) an engine mounted to the frame and disposed between the front and rear wheels;

(d.) a seat mounted to the frame;

(e.) a radiator mounted to the frame and disposed between the engine and the rear wheel; and

(f.) a fan assembly disposed between the radiator and the rear wheel and operable to draw air from the radiator and to direct the air rearwardly toward the rear wheel,

wherein the frame comprises a rear swing frame pivotally connected to a front frame.

8. The motorcycle of claim 7, wherein the radiator is mounted to the rear swing frame.

9. The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein the swing frame is pivotable along a pivot axis disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle, and wherein the radiator is disposed rearward of the pivot axis.

10. The motorcycle of claim 7, further comprising an outer fender connected to the front frame and an inner fender connected to the rear swing frame, said inner and outer fenders cooperating to define an air egress channel through which air from the fan assembly may flow.

11. A motorcycle comprising:

(a.) front and rear wheels;

(b.) a frame supported on and connected to the front and rear wheels;

(c.) an engine mounted to the frame and disposed between the front and rear wheels;

(d.) a seat mounted to the frame;

(e.) a radiator mounted to the frame and disposed between the engine and the rear wheel;

(f.) a fan assembly connected to the radiator and disposed between said radiator and the rear wheel, that is operable to draw air from the radiator and direct the air rearwardly toward the rear wheel, wherein the fan assembly is a plurality of fans held by a mounting structure in a position disposed rearward and in alignment with the radiator, wherein the plurality of fans each comprise an electric motor drivingly connected to an impeller and a shroud disposed around the impeller; and

(g.) inner and outer rear fenders connected to the frame, said inner rear fender being disposed between the fan assembly and the rear wheel.

12. The motorcycle of claim 11, wherein the inner and outer rear fenders cooperate to define an egress channel for guiding air from the fan assembly.