DE102022124323A1 - VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle (1) has a head pipe (3) rotatably supporting a handle, a main frame (F1) in which the head pipe (3) is provided at a front, an outer part (U1) arranged in a predetermined area behind the head pipe (3) in the shape covering the main frame (F1), and an operation switch (Y) provided to be operated from an upper side of the outer part (U1).

Description

BACKGROUND ART

field of invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Description of the Related Art

A vehicle such as a motorcycle is provided with a starter switch. For example, Patent Literature 1 mentioned below describes a starter switch provided in a motorcycle. The switch has a key cylinder and is attached to a front of a fuel tank. A rotatable handle is provided adjacent the front of the fuel tank.

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2014-125059

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The switch described in Patent Literature 1 is fixed at a lower position on a front side of the tank. According to the invention described in Patent Literature 1, since the switch is fixed on the tank side, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the switch is limited, and operability of the switch by an occupant may be impaired.

An aspect according to the present invention was to solve the above problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle that can improve operability for a switch related to the operation of the vehicle.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention adopts the following aspects.
<1> A vehicle (1) of an aspect according to the present invention comprises a head pipe (3) rotatably supporting a handle, a main frame (F1) in which the head pipe (3) is provided at a front side, an outer member (U1 ) positioned above the main frame (F1) and formed in a shape covering a predetermined area behind the head pipe (3), and an operation switch (Y) provided to be operated from an upper side of the outer member (U1 ) can be operated from

With this structure, since the operation switch is provided on the top of the exterior part, the operation switch can be arranged close to the occupant, and the operability can be improved.

<2> In the above aspect <1>, the operation switch (Y) can be fixed to the outer part (U1).

With this structure, the operation switch need not be fixed to the fuel tank or to the body frame side, and the degree of freedom of the shape of the exterior part can be improved. With this structure, the operation switch can be freely arranged in a position with good operability.

<3> In the above aspect <1> or <2>, there may be provided a wire harness (H) electrically connecting a connection target (E) provided below the outdoor part (U1) and the operation switch (Y), the wire harness (H ) can be wired from the operation switch (Y) toward the connection destination at the bottom of the outdoor unit (U1).

With this structure, since the wire harness is wired below the outdoor unit, the wire harness is hardly exposed to rainwater. With this structure, the wire harness can connect the operation switch and the connection target with the shortest distance.

<4> In any of the above aspects <1> to <3>, the exterior part (U1) may be in a shape covering a fuel tank (U2) provided in the vehicle (1), and the operation switch (Y) may be above with respect to a middle part of an entire vertical width of the fuel tank (U2).

With this structure, the operation switch can be arranged near the occupant side, and the operability can be improved.

<5> In any one of the above aspects <1> to <4>, the outer part (U1) may have an inclined surface (UA) which is located at a front side and becomes lower toward the front side, and a fixing portion (UB) which is provided on the inclined surface (UA) and fixes the operation switch (Y), and in the mounting portion (UB), an upper portion of the operation switch (Y) may be located below with respect to the inclined surface (UA) and an end face of the upper portion of the Operating switch (Y) can be arranged near the inclined surface (UA).

With this structure, since the operation switch does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer part, designability is improved. With this structure, since the operation switch does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the outdoor part, erroneous operation can be prevented.

In the aspect of the present invention, operability for a switch associated with operation of a vehicle can be improved.

character list

• 1 12 is a side view illustrating a structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment;
• 2 Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a tank unit seen from a side surface direction;
• 3 Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a method of attaching an operation switch, and Figs
• 4 FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship between an operation switch and a meter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As in 1 shown, the vehicle 1 is, for example, a spreader seat motorcycle. In the following description, a front-back direction, a left-right direction, and a top-bottom direction in which the front is front and the rear is rear as viewed from the operator in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 are corresponding fixed. The vehicle 1 includes, for example, a body frame F supported by a front wheel WF and a rear wheel WR, and an engine P which is an engine supported by the body frame F. As shown in FIG.

The body frame F is formed to have high rigidity by combining metal parts such as metal pipes. The body frame F is not limited to a metal material as long as the strength is secured, and may be made of a composite material. The body frame F includes a main frame F1 arranged at the front and a subframe F2 connected to a rear portion of the main frame F1. The main frame F1 consists, for example, of a truss frame in which steel tubes are combined. The main frame F1 and the subframe F2 may be integrally formed.

A tubular head pipe 3 is provided at a front portion of the main frame F1. The head pipe 3 is attached so as to be inclined rearward with respect to the up-down direction. A handlebar stem S, which rotatably supports a handlebar 7 (also referred to as a handlebar), is attached to the head tube 3 . A wave SS (see 2 ) of the handlebar stem S is inserted through the head tube 3.

The handlebar stem S is rotatably supported by the head tube 3 . A lower portion of the stem S rotatably supports the front wheel WF. For example, the handle stem S rotates the front wheel WF right and left about a pivot shaft along the up-down direction in accordance with the operation of the handlebar 7. The pivot shaft is set at a predetermined caster angle inclined rearward with respect to the up-down direction .

A plate-shaped upper bridge 4 is fixed to an upper end portion of the stem S. As shown in FIG. A plate-shaped lower bridge 14 is fixed to a lower end portion of the stem S. As shown in FIG. The upper bridge 4 and the lower bridge 14 are arranged in parallel. Upper portions of the bar-shaped front forks 15 arranged in a left and right pair are fixed to the upper bridge 4 and the lower bridge 14 by penetrating them.

The front wheel WF is rotatably supported by lower portions of the pair of left and right front forks 15 . The front wheel WF is, for example, a spoked wheel in which a rim and a hub are connected by a plurality of spokes. The front wheel WF can be a disc wheel or a wire spoke wheel. At least one front fork 15 is provided with a braking device B1 for braking. The braking device B1 is a disc brake, for example. The braking device B1 can also be a drum brake.

A front fender G1 is arranged as a fender over the front wheel WF. The front fender G1 is supported by the pair of left and right front forks 15 via a bracket G2. The front fender G1 is formed to cover an upper portion of the front wheel WF. An elastic front cushion D<b>1 is provided at an intermediate portion of the pair of left and right front forks 15 . The front damper D1 buffers and dampens vibrations transmitted to the vehicle 1 from the front wheel WF.

A headlight 12 is attached to the upper portions of the front fork 15 at a position between the upper bridge 4 and the lower bridge 14 . The link 7 extending in the left-right direction is fixed to an upper portion of the upper bridge 4 . The handlebar 7 is a left and right hand grip. A pair of left and right handlebar grips 5 are provided at both ends of the handlebar 7 . Furthermore, a pair of left and right rearview mirrors 6 are fixed to the handlebar 7 .

In the main frame F<b>1 , a tank unit U is provided between a rear of the head pipe 3 and a seat 34 . The tank unit U includes, for example, a fuel tank U2, which will be described later, and an exterior part U1 covering the fuel tank U2. A detailed structure of the tank unit U will be described below. The subframe F2 hanging down is provided at a rear end of the main frame F1. The subframe F2 is formed of, for example, a casting of aluminum material. A motor P that generates a driving force is fixed to one end of the subframe F2. A transmission P2 is connected to the motor P. The transmission P2 is provided with, for example, a plurality of multi-stage gears and a clutch. The transmission P2 decelerates a rotational force generated in the motor P to a rotational speed corresponding to the plurality of speeds and outputs a rotational driving force with increased torque.

A water pump PW for circulating cooling water is provided under the engine P. A radiator PR for cooling the motor P is provided between a front side of the main frame F1 and the front wheel WF. The radiator PR and the water pump PW are connected by a coolant hose PH through which coolant water flows. An oil cooler PC for cooling engine oil is provided below the cooler PR. The oil cooler PC and the engine P are connected by an oil hose PS through which engine oil flows. A brake pedal 17 for braking is attached to a right side of the engine P in a vehicle width direction.

A pair of footrests 18 are provided on the left and right sides of the engine P. The operator's soles are placed on upper portions of the footpegs 18 . Distal ends of a pair of left and right rockers 24 are rotatably supported on a rear side of the subframe F2. A side stand 21 by which the vehicle 1 can stand freely is rotatably supported under a left side of the vehicle 1 .

The rear wheel WR is rotatably supported by rear ends of the pair of left and right swingarms 24 . The rear wheel WR is, for example, an integrally molded spoked wheel in which a rim and a hub are connected by a plurality of spokes. The rear wheel WR can consist of a disc wheel or a wire spoke wheel. A tire having the same size as or a different size than the front wheel WF is attached to the rear wheel WR. A braking device B2 for braking the rear wheel WR is provided on a rear end right side of the swingarm 24 . The braking device B2 is a disk brake, for example.

The braking device B1 can be a drum brake. With the above structure, the rear wheel WR rotates around the distal ends of the swingarms 24. One end side of an expandable rear damper (not shown) is rotatably supported on the distal end side of the pair of left and right swingarms 24. One end side of a damper device is rotatably supported by the subframe F2. With the above structure, the rear wheel WR moves up and down with respect to the main frame F1 while being constrained by the damper device. The damper device buffers and dampens vibrations transmitted to the vehicle 1 from the rear wheel WR.

The rear wheel WR is driven by a drive chain 23 provided on the right side of the motor P. The drive chain 23 transmits the rotational driving force output from the transmission P2 to a sprocket C provided on a right side of the rear wheel WR. The sprocket C is a disc-shaped gear concentric with the rear wheel WR. A pair of left and right rear footpegs 22 are attached to the rear of the subframe F2. A catalyst device PT for purifying exhaust gas is attached to the lower end of the subframe F2.

An exhaust manifold PE through which the exhaust gas discharged from the engine P flows is connected to an upstream side of the catalyst device PT. A muffler PM that reduces acoustic energy of the exhaust gas by friction to reduce the volume of the exhaust gas and releases the exhaust gas into the atmosphere is connected to a downstream side of the catalyst device PT. A rearwardly extending seat frame F3 is provided above the subframe F2. The subframe F2 and the seat frame F3 can be formed in one piece. The main frame F1, the subframe F2 and the seat frame F3 may be integrally formed. The seat 34 on which the operator sits is provided above the seat frame F3. Behind the seat 34 there is a tandem seat 35 . A taillight 29 and a pair of left and right rear turn signal lamps 28 are attached to a lower portion behind the tandem seat 35 and above the rear wheel WR. The muffler PM is supported below the seat frame F3 via a muffler hanger MH.

Next, the tank unit U provided in the vehicle 1 will be described.

As in the 2 and 3 1, in the tank unit U, the outer part U1 is formed in a shape covering a predetermined area behind the head pipe. The outer part U1 is formed in an upward bulging shape. The outer part U1 is formed in a shape covering the fuel tank U2 fixed to the main frame F1 from above. The fuel tank U2 is formed by bending or welding a metal plate, for example. A flushing tank AB extending a dirty side of an air cleaner box AC to which an intake duct for sucking outside air is attached, and an air flushing box AC connected adjacent to the flushing tank AB are disposed below the fuel tank U2.

A bottom of the fuel tank U2 is formed in a shape with a bulging portion U2A in which a back bulges downward corresponding to an upper shape of the flush tank AB and the air cleaner box AC. For example, a battery E is arranged below the bulging portion U2A of the fuel tank U2. A fuel pump UF is provided in the bulging portion U2A. The fuel tank U2 is formed such that fuel is easily accumulated in the bulged portion U2A when the level of fuel decreases. The fuel pump UF can stably supply the fuel until the level of the fuel approaches a bottom portion of the bulging portion U2A. A cylindrical fuel filler port U3 is provided on an upper surface of the fuel tank U2. A front of the fuel tank U2 is fixed to the main frame F1 with a bolt or the like via a fastener U4. A rear side of the fuel tank U2 is fixed to the seat frame F3 by a fastener (not shown), for example. The attachment position of the fuel tank U2 is not limited to this, and the fuel tank U2 may be attached to another position as long as the fuel tank U2 can be attached to the vehicle body F. For the fuel tank U2, not only a fastening method using a bolt or the like but also another fastening method can be adopted.

The fuel tank U2 is covered with the outer part U1. The outer part U1 is formed, for example, in a shape imitating a tank shape of a normal straddle vehicle. The outer part U1 is not limited to a normal tank shape and may have any shape. That is, the tank unit U is not limited to the workability and functionality of the fuel tank U2 in designability, and the degree of freedom in design based on the exterior part U1 can be enhanced. Thus, the fuel tank U2 does not need to be provided with design ability, but can be designed with emphasis on workability and functionality. The exterior part U1 may cover not only the entire fuel tank U2 but also at least a part of the fuel tank U2, or a part of the fuel tank U2 may be exposed.

The outer part U1 is made of a resin member, for example. The outer part U1 is formed in one piece or divided, for example, by injection molding. The outer part U1 is not limited to this, and can be formed based on a three-dimensional printing method. The outer part U1 can be made of sheet metal using a plate-shaped body made of metal. The outer part U1 may be made of another material such as fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), carbon reinforced plastic (CFRP), or a composite material obtained by combining the above materials as long as the outer part U1 can be formed into a tank shape.

The front of the outer U1 is fixed to the main frame F1 with a bolt FB or the like through a fastener F8. A rear side of the outer part U1 is fixed, for example, by fitting a fixing pin U6 to a fixing part U5 provided in the fuel tank U2. The rear of the exterior U1 can be fixed to the main frame F1 with a bolt or the like through a fastener (not shown). The attachment position of the outer part U1 is not limited to this, and the outer part U1 may be attached at another position as long as the outer part U1 can be attached to a component other than the main frame F1. For the outer part U1, not only bolts but also other fastening methods, such as snap-in elements, can be used. With the above structure, a gap is created in an inner space US of the outer part U1 between the inner surface of the outer part U1 and the fuel tank U2.

On the top of the outer part U1, an inclined surface UA is formed, the position of which slopes forward in a side view. For example, on the inclined surface UA, there are one at a front first inclined surface UA1 arranged on the side and a second inclined surface UA2 arranged on a rear side are formed. The first inclined surface UA1 is inclined by a first slope falling forward in a side view. In a side view, for example, the first pitch is defined essentially parallel to the head tube 3 .

The second inclined surface UA2 is continuously formed behind the first inclined surface UA1. The second inclined surface UA2 is inclined at a second slope falling forward in a side view. The second pitch is set to be smaller than the first pitch in a side view, for example. A fuel cap U8 is provided behind the second inclined surface UA2 in such a manner that it can be opened and closed according to the position of the fuel filler port U3. At a connecting portion between the tank cap U8 and the fuel filler port U3, a gap can be filled by, for example, inserting an annular rubber packing (not shown) or the like. For example, an operation switch Y for starting the engine P is provided on a front side of the second inclined surface UA2.

The operation switch Y is, for example, a push button. The operation switch Y opens and closes a circuit by operation of the button. The operation switch Y may have not only the motor P but also another operation function as long as this operation function is associated with the operation of the vehicle 1. The operation switch Y may also have other forms such as a toggle switch, a dial, and a lever in addition to that of the push button. The operation switch Y can be operated not only by the push operation but also by other operation methods such as a rotary operation, a parallel movement operation in a different direction, a pull operation, a lever operation, and a touch operation. The operation switch Y is provided to be operated from above the second inclined surface UA2. That is, the operation switch Y is provided to be operated from the top of the outdoor part U1.

The operation switch Y is attached to the side of the outdoor unit U1. For example, the operation switch Y is fixed to a fixing portion UB recessed downward from the second inclined surface UA2. In the attachment portion UB, an operation piece Y1 having a button-operable push button is arranged at an upper portion of the operation switch Y below with respect to the second inclined surface UA2. In the attachment portion UB, a front end of the operating piece Y1 is located close to the second inclined surface UA2 in a side view. Thus, the operation part Y1 does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer part U1, and the formability can be improved. Since the operation part Y1 is arranged at substantially the same height as the height of the second inclined surface UA2 of the outer part U1, operability is improved. Since the operating part Y1 does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer part U1, an object or the occupant's body can be prevented from contacting the operating part Y1 and erroneous operation of the operating part Y1 can be prevented. The attachment portion UB may be provided on the first inclined surface UA1. The attachment portion UB may also be provided in another position on the side of the seat 34 or the like in the outer part U1.

The operation switch Y need not be fixed to the side of the body frame F, and its shape can be freely set. The operation switch Y performs a circuit opening/closing operation, has no mechanical limit, and can freely set an attachment position. The attachment portion UB is provided at a position where the operation switch Y is located upward with respect to a center part UC of the entire vertical width of the fuel tank U2. That is, the operation switch Y is located at the top with respect to the central part UC of the entire vertical width of the fuel tank U2.

That is, the operation switch Y is arranged at a position where the occupant can easily operate the operation switch Y from the top of the exterior part U1. In the operation switch Y, for example, the operation piece Y1 protrudes upward from the surface side of the attachment portion UB. A lower portion Y2 of the operation switch Y protrudes from a rear surface UB2 side of the attachment portion UB toward the interior US, for example. The lower portion Y2 of the operation switch Y is provided with, for example, a pair of plate-shaped mounting plates Y3 protruding in the left-right direction. A through hole Y4 is formed in each of the mounting plates Y3.

A cylindrical boss UB3 protruding downward is provided from the rear surface UB2 side of the attachment portion UB corresponding to the position of the through hole Y4. In the hub UB3 is a screw hole UB4 educated. A screw Y6 passing through the through hole Y4 of the mounting plate Y3 is screwed into the screw hole UB4, and the mounting plate Y3 and the hub UB3 are screwed together. A connector YK that enables electrical connection with the operation switch Y is provided on a bottom surface Y5 of the lower portion Y2 of the operation switch Y. As shown in FIG. A connector HK provided on an end face of a wire harness H electrically connected to the operation switch Y is connected to the connector YK.

In the wiring harness H, several cables are bundled, for example. The other end of the wire harness H is connected to, for example, the battery E, which is a connection target. The wire harness H electrically connects the operation switch Y to the battery E provided behind the operation switch Y and below the outdoor unit U1. In the interior US inside the outdoor part U1, the wire harness H hangs down from the bottom surface Y5 of the operation switch Y, for example. For example, the wire harness H bends backward from a hanging down portion, passes over the flush tank AB and the air cleaner box AC, and is wired to the battery E (connection destination) which is arranged on a rear side with respect to the operation switch Y.

The wiring path of the wire harness H is exemplary, and the wire harness H can be wired through any wiring path in the interior space US of the outdoor unit U1. For example, the wire harness H can be wired through a wiring path passing through the top surface of the fuel tank U2 or a wiring path passing through either side surface of the fuel tank U2 in the gap between the fuel tank U2 and the exterior part U1. The wire harness H can be connected to a connection target such as a controller other than the battery E. The connection target can be located at any position.

In the tank unit U, the wire harness H can be wired inside US of the outdoor unit U1, and the wire harness H can be protected from rainwater. That is, in the conventional straddle vehicle, a key cylinder for starting the engine P is provided on the upper bridge 4, and a wire harness connecting the key cylinder and the battery may be exposed between the tank and the stem S of rainwater. On the other hand, since the wire harness H of the operation switch Y is wired below the outdoor part U1, the wire harness H is hardly exposed to the rainwater. In the case of the tank unit U, wiring can take place in the shortest path of the cable harness H in the interior space US of the outdoor part U1. In the case of the tank unit U, the wiring harness H can be wired in any desired wiring path in the interior US of the outdoor part U1.

The vehicle 1 is embodied as a smart key system, for example, which communicates with a key carried by an occupant and allows actuation of the actuating switch Y when the vehicle 1 can communicate with the key. The operation switch Y is electrically connected to, for example, a handle lock (not shown) provided on the upper bridge 4 . The handle lock is designed, for example, as an electric handle lock, in which an actuator is actuated and which can be locked based on an electric signal.

In the vehicle 1, when the operating part Y1 is operated by the occupant while the engine P is stopped, the engine P is started and the grip lock is released, and the handle stem S can be rotated. For example, the vehicle 1 enables the engine P to be started by interlocking the operating member Y1 and the operation of the brake lever. For example, the engine P in the vehicle 1 is started when the operating member Y1 is operated in a case where the brake lever is operated and at least one of the front wheel WF and the rear wheel WR is locked.

In the vehicle 1, for example, when the operating part Y1 is operated in a case where the brake lever is not operated, the on-board power supply is turned on and the grip lock is released without starting the engine P. In the vehicle 1, for example, when the operating part Y1 is operated by the occupant while the engine P is running, the engine P is stopped. At this point in time, the on-board power supply is in a switched-on state. If, for example, the operating part Y1 is operated by the occupant in the vehicle 1 after the engine P has been switched off, the on-board power supply unit is switched off and the handle lock is brought into the locked state.

In the conventional straddle vehicle, for example, a switch for starting the engine, such as a key cylinder, is provided on the upper bridge 4 . In the vehicle 1, the operating part Y1 can be operated at a position closer to the occupant than in the conventional vehicle. In the vehicle 1, the vehicle 1 can be started by a simple operation such as a push button operation of the operation switch Y, and the operability can be improved over a key cylinder.

As in 4 As illustrated, in the vehicle 1, it is not necessary to provide the ignition key cylinder on the upper bridge 4, and a gauge M displaying driving information such as the speed of the vehicle 1 can be arranged near the occupant on the upper bridge 4, and thus the Visibility of the measuring instrument M can be improved. The measuring instrument M is, for example, a multi-information display in which information is displayed on a liquid crystal display.

Also, in the vehicle 1, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the meter M can be enhanced, and also the operability of the meter M can be enhanced. In the vehicle 1, since the operation switch Y is arranged on the exterior part U1, the operability of the operation switch Y can be improved. In the vehicle 1, since the handle lock device and the start operation switch Y are separated from each other, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the operation switch Y can be improved. In the vehicle 1, since the operation switch Y is fixed to the exterior part U1, the degree of freedom in arrangement can be improved.

Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the above-described embodiment with known constituent elements without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the above-described modifications can be appropriately combined. The vehicle 1 is applicable not only to a motorcycle but also to other self-propelled vehicles and non-self-propelled vehicles, for example. Although the vehicle 1 having the engine P configured as an internal combustion engine has been described as an example, the vehicle 1 is not limited thereto and may be an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle including a combination of these. In this case, the exterior part U1 may cover not only the fuel tank U2 but also other vehicle facilities.

Reference List

1

vehicle

3

head tube

E

Battery (connection target)

F1

main frame

H

wiring harness

U1

outer part

U2

fuel tank

u.a

inclined surface

UB

attachment section

Y

actuation switch

Claims (5)

Vehicle (1), with: a head tube (3) rotatably supporting a handle; a main frame (F1) in which the head pipe (3) is provided at a front side; an outer member (U1) disposed above the main frame (F1) and formed in a shape covering a predetermined area behind the head pipe (3); as well as an operation switch (Y) provided to be operable from an upper side of the outdoor part (U1). Vehicle (1) after claim 1 , wherein the operating switch (Y) is fixed to the outer part (U1). Vehicle (1) after claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a wire harness (H) electrically connecting a connection target provided below the exterior part (U1) and the operation switch (Y), the wire harness (H) from the operation switch (Y) toward the connection target (E) at the bottom inside of the outdoor unit (U1) is wired. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the outer part (U1) is formed in a shape covering a fuel tank (U2) provided in the vehicle (1), and the operation switch (Y) is located above with respect to a middle part (UC) of an entire vertical width of the fuel tank (U2 ) is arranged. Vehicle (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the outer part (U1) has an inclined surface (UA) which is located on a front side and becomes lower toward the front side, and a fixing portion (UB) which is provided on the inclined surface (UA) and the operation switch (Y ) attached, and in the attachment portion (UB), an upper portion of the operation switch (Y) is arranged below with respect to the inclined surface (UA) and a front end of the upper portion of the operation switch (Y) is arranged close to the inclined surface (UA). is.

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