JP2002337780A - Folding type body structure for riding-on-saddle type vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate folding work by dividing a vehicle into front and rear parts, pivotally supporting the front and rear divided parts so as to be mutually rotatable, and enabling the vehicle to be compactly folded by the rotation. SOLUTION: The vehicle 1 is provided with a front wheel 17 supported to the lower end part of a front fork 14; a rear wheel 23 supported to the rear end part of a main frame 6; a motor 33 allowing the travel drive of the rear wheel 23; and a battery 33 for supplying electric power to the motor 33. The main frame 6 is longitudinally divided and composed of front and rear frames 40, 41, and the respective divided end parts of the front and rear frames 40, 41 are pivotally supported to each other by a pivoted shaft 43 so that the front and rear frames 40, 41 are mutually rotatable around an axis 42 extending in the cross direction of a car body 2. With this rotation, the front and rear wheels 17, 23 can approach each other in a region below the pivoted shaft 43.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable vehicle body structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle in which the vehicle body can be folded into a compact shape when the vehicle is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A foldable vehicle body structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-315274.

According to the above publication, a body frame constituting a vehicle body is provided with a head pipe constituting a front upper end thereof, and a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe. .

Further, the vehicle includes a front fork slidably supported by the head pipe, a front wheel supported by a lower end of the front fork, and a rear wheel supported by a rear end of the main frame. The vehicle includes a wheel, a seat supported by the main frame, an electric motor capable of driving the rear wheel to travel, and a battery capable of supplying electric power to the electric motor.

[0005] The main frame is divided into front and rear parts so that the main frame can be connected to each other. By this division, the vehicle is folded compactly as a whole. It is possible to store in a narrow space such as.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

In other words, when the vehicle is divided into front and rear parts, such as when the above-mentioned vehicle is stored, and the front and rear parts are separated from each other, they can be loaded or unloaded in a private car. The handling operation tends to be complicated as the number of cut products increases as described above.

In order to make the front and rear divided products rotatable relative to each other, the divided ends of the front and rear divided products are pivotally supported with each other so that these separated products are not separated from each other. At this time, it is conceivable to make the vehicle compact by folding the front and rear wheels closer to each other by the rotation, thereby facilitating the handling operation.

However, in the case of the above configuration, the first
In particular, since the above-mentioned vehicle is particularly heavy, having a battery, if the front and rear parts are rotated with respect to each other in order to fold the vehicle, the work for the rotation is complicated. That is, the folding operation of the vehicle may be complicated.

Secondly, the above-mentioned vehicle is usually provided with electric wires so as to straddle the front and rear of the vehicle body. If this is done, the rotation may cause the electric wire to be bent at a large rotation angle, which may undesirably reduce the life of the electric wire.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and divides a vehicle into front and rear parts, and pivots the front and rear parts so as to be rotatable relative to each other. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to facilitate the folding operation when the vehicle can be folded compactly.

It is another object of the present invention to prevent the life of the electric wire from being shortened even if the electric wire wired across the front and rear of the vehicle body is bent by the rotation.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a foldable vehicle body structure in a straddle-type vehicle according to the present invention comprises:
It is as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body frame 3 includes a head pipe 5 constituting a front upper end portion thereof, and a main frame 6 extending rearward from the head pipe 5. A front wheel 17 supported at the lower end of the front fork 14, a rear wheel 23 supported at a rear end of the main frame 6, A vehicle 30 including a seat 30 supported by the motor, a motor 33 that enables the rear wheel 23 to travel and drive, and a battery 35 that can supply power to the motor 33.

The main frame 6 is divided into front and rear parts, and is composed of front and rear frames 40 and 41.
The front and rear frames 40, 41 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis 42 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body 2.
Are pivoted to each other by a pivot shaft 43, and by this rotation, the front and rear wheels 17, 23 are moved by the pivot shaft 4.
3 are accessible from each other in the lower region.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body 2, an imaginary line 48 connecting the lower end portion of the head pipe 5 and the axis 21 of the rear wheel 23. The pivot shaft 43 is arranged on the upper side.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In addition to the above invention, the front frame 40 is extended upward from the head pipe 5 and the rear frame 41 is extended downward from the divided end of the front frame 40. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to third aspects, the pivot shaft 43 is disposed on the front side of the seat 30, and the seat shaft 43 is vertically arranged. In the vicinity of the upper surface of the front end portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the battery 35 is supported by the rear frame 41.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle that is a saddle-ride type motorcycle that is “operable” by a rider, and an arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle 1.

The vehicle body frame 3 constituting the vehicle body 2 of the vehicle 1 has a head pipe 5 which constitutes a front upper end portion and has an axial center 4 extending forward and downward and extending rearward from the head pipe 5. And an extending main frame 6.

The main frame 6 has a main frame main body 8 extending rearward from the head pipe 5 and a front end extending in the front-rear direction and having a front end connected to the extension end of the main frame main body 8. And a rear arm 10 pivotally supported by
The rear arm 10 is swingable up and down around an axis 11 of the pivot shaft 9 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body 2.

The vehicle body 2 has a front fork 14 supported so as to be steerable around the axis 11 with respect to the head pipe 5, and a lower end of the front fork 14 in a width direction of the vehicle body 2. A front wheel 17 supported by an axle 16 so as to be rotatable about an extended axis 15
And a bar-shaped handle 18 supported on the upper end of the front fork 14, and a headlamp 19 supported on the upper portion of the front fork 14 and capable of illuminating the front of the vehicle body 2.

The vehicle body 2 is mounted on the rear arm 10
A rear wheel 23 supported by an axle 22 so as to be rotatable around an axial center 21 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body 2 with respect to a rear end portion, and a shock absorber mounted on the main frame body 8 and the rear arm 10. The front wheel 17 and the rear wheel 23 are grounded on a traveling road surface 27, and the vehicle body 2 is supported on the traveling road surface 27.

At the rear of the main frame body 8, a seat 30 on which a rider can sit in a saddle-riding manner is placed and supported by a seat bracket 29, and the upper surface of the seat 30 extends substantially horizontally forward and backward. . This sheet 3
A pair of left and right footrests 31, which allow a rider seated on the upper surface of the main frame 0 to place his or her feet, protrude from the main frame body 8. The main frame 6 is moved so that the seat 30 can be reciprocally pivoted upward and forward.
Is pivotally supported by a pivotal support 32.

An electric motor 33 is supported on the rear end of the rear arm 10 on the axis 21 of the rear wheel 23, and the rear wheel 23 is interlocked to the electric motor 33.
Numeral 3 can be driven by driving the electric motor 33. A storage case 34 that opens upward is supported at the rear of the main frame main body 8, while a battery 35 that can supply electric power to the electric motor 33 is provided. And is supported so as to be able to be freely inserted and removed from. A controller 36 for inputting electric power from the battery 35 to control the electric motor 33 is provided. The battery 35, the controller 36, and the operation unit 37 are electrically connected to each other by an electric wire 38.

A stand 39 is provided to enable the vehicle 1 to be supported on the traveling road surface 27 so that the vehicle 1 can stand upright on the traveling road surface 27 when viewed from the front of the vehicle 1. I have. Specifically, this stand 39
Cooperates with the front wheel 17 to enable the vehicle 1 to stand on the traveling road surface 27.

In the above configuration, the main frame 6 is divided into front and rear parts, and is constituted by front and rear frames 40 and 41. These front and rear frames 40 and 41 are mutually separated around an axis 42 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body 2. Before these to be able to rotate freely,
The divided ends of the rear frames 40 and 41 are pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 43.

The front end of the front frame 40 is fixed to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the head pipe 5 and extends rearward from the head pipe 5. The extended end of the front frame 40 is the split end. It has been. On the other hand, the rear frame 41
Extends rearwardly downward from the divided end portion of the front frame 40, and the rear arm 10 is connected to the pivot shaft 9 at the extended end portion.
, Each footrest 31 is supported, and the front end of the rear frame 41 is the divided end.

In the "usable state" of the vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front and rear frames 40, 41 are removably prevented from rotating relative to the front and rear frames 40, 41.
Locking means 45 for releasably locking the locks 41 are provided. The “usable state” of the vehicle 1
Therefore, a stopper 44 is provided to prevent the front and rear frames 40 and 41 from rotating so that the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 are separated from each other.

The front frame 40 has a box-shaped cross section, and a pair of left and right rear frames 41 is provided. Between the two rear frames 41, 41, a space 46 opening upward and rearward is formed. The storage case 34 is inserted into a lower portion of the space 46 and is supported by the rear frame 41. The electric wires 38 are wired across the internal space of the front frame 40 and the space 46 of the rear frame 41.

The space 46 is openably and closably covered from above by the sheet 30. When the sheet 30 is rotated upward (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1), the storage case 34 is directed upward. And is opened through the space 46. In this state, the battery 35 can be freely inserted into and removed from the storage case 34 through the space 46 from above.

When the battery 35 is removably fitted into the storage case 34, the output socket of the battery 35 is automatically removably fitted to the input socket of the electric wire 38 to which power is to be input from the battery 35. Are to be fitted together.

In the "usable state" of the vehicle 1,
When the operation unit 37 is operated, the electric motor 33 controlled by the controller 36 is driven by receiving the supply of electric power from the battery 35, and the vehicle 1 is driven on the traveling road surface 27 by the traveling drive of the rear wheel 23 interlocked with the electric power. It is possible to travel.

When the lock by the lock means 45 is released, the front and rear frames 40 and 41 are connected to the pivot shaft 43.
The front and rear wheels 17 and 23 can be approached to each other by this relative rotation (arrow A in FIG. 1, FIG. 3).

As described above, the front and rear frames 40, 4
When the vehicle 1 is folded so that the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 approach each other to a predetermined relative position by rotating the vehicle 1 relative to each other, another stopper 47 for preventing further rotation is provided. Then, when the locking means 45 locks the front and rear frames 40 and 41 to each other and prevents their rotation, the vehicle 1 is brought into the "storage state" (FIG. 3). In this case, the stand 39 cooperates with the rear wheel 23 to enable the vehicle 1 to stand on the traveling road surface 27 independently.

According to the above configuration, the main frame 6 is divided into front and rear parts, and is constituted by front and rear frames 40 and 41. These front and rear frames 40 and 41 are arranged around an axis 42 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body 2. The divided ends of the front and rear frames 40 and 41 are pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 43 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.
3 are made to be accessible to each other below the pivot shaft 43, and when approached in this way, the vehicle 1 is folded to be in a compact "storage state".

In the above case, when the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 are to be brought close to each other in order to carry out the folding work of the vehicle 1, first, the lock by the lock means 45 is released, and To drive the electric motor 33 to drive the rear wheel 23 forward toward the front wheel 17 (arrow A in FIG. 1). Then, the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 come closer to each other and the vehicle 1 can be folded.

Therefore, although the vehicle 1 is equipped with the electric motor 33 and the battery 35 and is heavy, the electric motor 3
By using the driving force of No. 3, the folding operation of the vehicle 1 can be facilitated.

The pivot shaft 43 is disposed above an imaginary line 48 connecting the lower end of the head pipe 5 and the axis 21 of the rear wheel 23 in a side view of the vehicle body 2.

For this reason, the pivot shaft 43 is separated from the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 upwardly to some extent by a large amount. Therefore, when the vehicle 1 is folded, the shaft center 42 of the pivot shaft 43 is moved. Front and rear frames 4
When the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 are brought closer to each other to a predetermined relative position by rotating the
Is moved upward from the front and rear wheels 17 and 23, and the front and rear frames 4 around the pivot shaft 43 are separated.
The rotation angles of 0 and 41 are suppressed small.

Therefore, even if the wire 38 extending over the front and rear frames 40 and 41 is bent along with the rotation, the bending angle is suppressed to a small value. Is suppressed, and a decrease in the life thereof is prevented.

Further, the front frame 40 is extended upward from the head pipe 5 so as to be raised.
Are extended downwardly from the divided end of the front frame 40.

For this reason, since the pivot shaft 43 is separated farther upward from the front and rear wheels 17, 23, when the vehicle 1 is folded,
The rotation angles of the front and rear frames 40 and 41 are suppressed to be smaller.

Therefore, even if the wire 38 extending across the front and rear frames 40 and 41 is bent along with the rotation, the bending angle is suppressed to a smaller value, and the life of the wire 38 is further reduced. It is surely prevented.

The pivot shaft 43 is connected to the seat 30.
Of the seat 30 in the vertical direction.
In the vicinity of the upper surface of the front end portion.

For this reason, the pivot shaft 43 is separated farther upward from the front and rear wheels 17 and 23 as far as the rider sitting on the upper surface of the seat 30 does not disturb the rider. The turning angles of the front and rear frames 40 and 41 during the folding operation of the vehicle 1 are suppressed to be small.

Therefore, the life of the electric wire 38 extending across the front and rear frames 40 and 41 is prevented from being shortened while the rider's riding comfort on the vehicle 1 is kept good.

The rear frame 41 supports the battery 35.

Therefore, the electric motor 33 and the battery 35
Are connected to each other by the front and rear frames 4.
Of the frames 0 and 41, only the rear frame 41 can be wired, and the frames 40 and 41 do not straddle. Therefore, the front and rear frames 40 and 41 are prevented from being bent by rotation. .

Therefore, it is preferable to prevent the life of the electric wire 38 from being shortened due to the bending.

Although the above description is based on the illustrated example, the vehicle 1
May be a tricycle having two rear wheels.

[0054]

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body frame includes a head pipe forming the front upper end portion thereof, and a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, and is steerable to the head pipe. A front fork supported, a front wheel supported at a lower end of the front fork, a rear wheel supported at a rear end of the main frame, a seat supported by the main frame, and the rear wheel. In a vehicle including an electric motor capable of driving for traveling and a battery capable of supplying electric power to the electric motor,

The main frame is divided into front and rear parts, and is composed of front and rear frames. Each of the front and rear frames is rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle body. The divided ends are pivotally supported by a pivot shaft, and by this rotation, the front and rear wheels are allowed to approach each other in a region below the pivot shaft.

For this reason, when the front and rear wheels are to be brought closer to each other for folding the vehicle, the electric motor is driven and the rear wheels are driven forward toward the front wheels. The front and rear wheels are close to each other, so that the vehicle can be folded.

Although the above-mentioned vehicle has a motor and a battery and is heavy, the folding operation of the vehicle can be easily performed by using the driving force of the motor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pivot shaft is disposed above an imaginary line connecting the lower end of the head pipe and the axis of the rear wheel in a side view of the vehicle body.

For this reason, since the pivot shaft is largely separated from the front and rear wheels upwardly to some extent, during the folding operation of the vehicle, the front and rear shafts are centered on the axis of the pivot shaft. When the frame is rotated and the front and rear wheels approach each other to a predetermined relative position, the pivot shaft is separated from the front and rear wheels by an amount corresponding to the distance from the front wheel to the rear wheel. The rotation angles of the front and rear frames are kept small.

Therefore, even if the wire extending over the front and rear frames is bent along with the rotation, the bending angle is suppressed to a small value, so that the fatigue due to the alternating load of the wire is suppressed. The life is prevented from being shortened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the front frame extends rearward from the head pipe, and the rear frame extends rearward from the divided end of the front frame.

For this reason, since the pivot shaft is separated farther upward from the front and rear wheels, when the vehicle is folded, the pivot angles of the front and rear frames are smaller. Is suppressed.

Therefore, even if the wire extending over the front and rear frames is bent along with the rotation, the bending angle is suppressed to a smaller value, and the life of the wire is more reliably prevented from being reduced. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pivot shaft is arranged on the front side of the seat, and is arranged in the vertical direction near the upper surface of the front end of the seat.

For this reason, the pivot shaft is separated from the front and rear wheels by a greater distance upward so as not to obstruct the rider sitting on the upper surface of the seat, so that the vehicle can be folded. In this case, the rotation angles of the front and rear frames are reduced.

Therefore, the life of the electric wires extending over the front and rear frames is prevented from being shortened while the ride comfort of the rider in the vehicle is kept good.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the battery is supported by the rear frame.

For this reason, the electric wires connecting the electric motor and the battery to each other can be wired only to the rear frame side of the front and rear frames, and the two frames do not straddle. Is prevented from being bent by the rotation of.

Therefore, it is preferable to prevent the shortening of the life due to the bending of the electric wire beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a vehicle in an “usable state”.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle in an “usable state”.

FIG. 3 is an overall side view of the vehicle in a “storage state”.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Body 3 Body frame 5 Head pipe 6 Main frame 8 Main frame main body 10 Rear arm 11 Axis 14 Front fork 17 Front wheel 21 Axis 22 Axle 23 Rear wheel 27 Running road surface 30 Seat 33 Motor 35 Battery 37 Operating part 38 Electric wire 40 front frame 41 rear frame 42 axis 43 pivot axis 48 virtual line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle body frame comprising: a head pipe constituting a front upper end thereof; and a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, and a front fork slidably supported by the head pipe. And a front wheel supported on the lower end of the front fork, a rear wheel supported on the rear end of the main frame, a seat supported on the main frame, and the rear wheel capable of running. In a vehicle provided with an electric motor and a battery capable of supplying electric power to the electric motor, the main frame is divided into front and rear portions, and is constituted by front and rear frames, and the front and rear frames extend in the width direction of the vehicle body. These divided ends of the front and rear frames are pivotally supported by a pivot shaft so as to be rotatable about the center, and the rotation causes the front and rear wheels to move in a lower region of the pivot shaft. Foldable body structure in a saddle-ride type vehicle was made to be accessible are. 2. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pivot shaft is disposed above a virtual line connecting a lower end portion of the head pipe and an axis of the rear wheel in a side view of the vehicle body. Foldable body structure in. 3. The front frame according to claim 1, wherein the front frame extends rearwardly upward from the head pipe, and the rear frame extends rearward downward from a divided end portion of the front frame. Body structure in a saddle-ride type vehicle. 4. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein the pivot shaft is arranged on a front side of the seat and is arranged in a vertical direction near an upper surface of a front end of the seat. Foldable body structure for ride-on vehicles. 5. A foldable vehicle body structure in a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said battery is supported by said rear frame.