Vehicle including heat guard for control module

• US 8,056,613 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Frijas, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): FORD, JOHN K
• Application Number:
  US11/731,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20070245985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 165/41, 165/44, 165/47, 165/51, 165/121, 165/122, 165/80.3, 180/68.1, 180/68.4, 180/229, 123/198.E
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/10 Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/16 Motor-cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2050/30 Circuit boards

Abstract

A vehicle, such as a motorcycle or ATV, includes a frame, an internal combustion engine, a radiator, a control module and a heat guard. The radiator is configured for receiving fresh air and for expelling heated air. The control module includes an engine control unit for the internal combustion engine. At least a portion of the heat guard is positioned adjacent to and between the radiator and the control module. The heat guard is configured to deflect at least a portion of the heated air expelled by the radiator from contacting the control module. The heat guard is also configured for receiving fresh air for cooling the heat guard to reduce radiation of heat from the heat guard to the control module.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

an internal combustion engine supported with respect to the frame;

a radiator supported with respect to the frame, the radiator being operable for receiving fresh air and for expelling heated air;

a support assembly;

a control module comprising electronic components, the control module being supported with respect to the frame by the support assembly; and

a heat guard supported with respect to the frame, at least a portion of the heat guard positioned between, adjacent to, and spaced from the radiator and the control module such that the heat guard operably deflects at least a portion of the heated air expelled by the radiator from contacting the control module;

wherein

the heat guard comprises a first surface, a second surface, a first lip portion, a second lip portion and a ducting portion;

at least a portion of the first surface has a convex shape, faces the radiator and is spaced from the radiator;

at least a portion of the second surface has a concave shape, faces the control module and is spaced from the control module; and

the first lip portion extends forwardly and away from the control module, the ducting portion is curved and connects the first lip portion with the second lip portion, and the second lip portion extends downwardly and away from the support assembly and the control module, such that the first lip portion operably receives fresh air for passage between the heat guard and the radiator to assist in cooling the heat guard, and the ducting portion and the second lip portion operably cooperate to direct air downwardly and away from the radiator and the control module.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 comprising a saddle-type vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 comprising a motorcycle.

4. The vehicle of claim 2 comprising an all terrain vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the control module comprises an engine control unit for the internal combustion engine.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first lip portion defines a first end of the heat guard and the second lip portion defines a second end of the heat guard.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the second lip portion of the heat guard is located adjacent to the support assembly.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a radiator supported with respect to the frame;

a support assembly;

a control module comprising electronic components, the control module being supported with respect to the frame by the support assembly; and

a heat guard supported with respect to the frame, at least a portion of the heat guard being disposed in a location adjacent to and between the radiator and the control module, the heat guard comprising a first surface and a second surface;

wherein

at least a portion of the first surface has a convex shape, faces the radiator and is spaced from the radiator;

at least a portion of the second surface has a concave shape, faces the control module and is spaced from the control module;

the heat guard further comprises a first lip portion, a second lip portion and a ducting portion; and

the first lip portion extends forwardly and away from the control module, the ducting portion is curved and connects the first lip portion with the second lip portion, and the second lip portion extends downwardly and away from the support assembly and the control module, such that the first lip portion operably receives fresh air for passage over at least one of the first surface and the second surface for cooling of the heat guard to reduce radiation of heat from the heat guard to the control module, and the ducting portion and the second lip portion operably cooperate to direct air downwardly and away from the radiator and the control module.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 comprising a saddle-type vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 comprising a motorcycle.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 comprising an all terrain vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 further comprising an internal combustion engine supported with respect to the frame, wherein the control module comprises an engine control unit for the internal combustion engine.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the first lip portion defines a first end of the heat guard and the second lip portion defines a second end of the heat guard.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the second lip portion of the heat guard is located adjacent to the support assembly.